Tentative April launch date set for proposed night market
SIBU: The first night market at the Sibu Jaya township which will accommodate about 80 stalls may be implemented at the latest by the end of April.
Sibu Rural District Council (SRDC) chairman Councillor Sempurai Petrus Ngelai said they are still waiting for the budget from the Ministry of Local Government to set up infrastructure and facilities like lighting, trading areas, and to engage a variety of traders.
“We also need to bring the night market proposal to the full council for further deliberation. Personally, I hope this night market will start soon to help boost the local economy in Sibu Jaya.
“In fact, I was informed that quite a number of the potential night market traders in Sibu Jaya are very excited with opening of the first night market,” he told The Borneo Post yesterday when asked for an update on the situation.
With the ministry encouraging local councils to create business opportunities to assist traders to generate income, he truly hoped that prospective traders would take this opportunity to generate extra income. “In fact, under the ministry’s Local Key Result Areas ( NKRA), the creation of the night market to curb urban poverty is part of the council’s KPI.”
Concerning the stalls, he said they would sell food, merchandise, handicrafts, antiques and other items.
Sempurai said they would make the market different and sustainable by offering something unique, compared to the usual night market.
He said for starters, the council would focus on lighting up the area and making it attractive to customers.
“Then we go from there. The proposed location is surrounded by shop houses and coffee shops. We must make the area attractive first.”
Asked about the possibility of starting a flea market there, he said they would see first how successful the night market is. Meanwhile, during an interview in early February this year, SRDC deputy chairman Robert Lau Hui Yew said the council was requesting RM500,000 in funds from the ministry for the proposed market, which is to be situated at an open space between the shop houses there.
Lau pointed out the aim of having the night market is to cater for the community in Sibu Jaya, where there is a vibrant community with many young families.