Sibu Jaya to start its first night market next month
SIBU: Sibu Rural District Council (SRDC) targets to start Sibu Jaya’s first night market next month.
Council deputy chairman Robert Lau Hui Yew said the lighting will be installed this month along with the decoration.
“We are aiming for October to start (the night market). The canopies are here already,” he told The Borneo Post.
Lau was met after officiating at the ‘ Drawing and colouring competition with family’ at Delta Mall here recently.
He disclosed that SRDC had carried out interview of applicants.
“We are going to finalise the list by end of this month. The night market can accommodate 100 traders. However, we may have slots for a few more (traders) – we will see how it goes,” he added.
He pointed out that the key thing is the council wanted traders to make a living and able to sustain their trade.
This in turn would enliven the atmosphere of commercial area of Sibu Jaya.
“Sibu Jaya is a nice township with wonderful community. The night market will indeed add another fine element to this wonderful community,” Lau enthused.
Concerning the items to be traded there, he noted there will be quite a broad range.
This includes cosmetics, printing of T- shirts, food including ‘pulut panggang’, burger and even ‘dim sum’, and electrical goods, among others.
“We are still looking for people who can do handicrafts. We are going to reserve some more stalls for those traders selling unique items.
“We are collecting RM2 a day (from traders) – it is very simple and cost efficient way to start your own business,” he said.
He also said SRDC would be investing more than RM300,000 to get the night market going, adding that funds would be allocated for the purpose.
“There is no specific grant for this (from the Ministry of Local Government and Housing). Initially we thought there was some fund. That is why there was a slight delay (in starting the night market) – I was targeting to start (the night market) in June if the fund had come down.”
Lau assured: “Anyway, when we say we want to do and it is a good thing to do, we will do it. If the source of funding is not here, we will look in other places. It is SRDC’s commitment to develop the community; we will do when say we do.”
He said the night market would be the first in Sibu Jaya and second one in Sibu town after 50 years.
“No one has come up (with this); when I was with SMC I always said do another one (night market) because Sibu township is expanding. We should do more for different communities.
“Now that I am in- charge of SRDC, I have pushed that ( proposal) a year ago; I said let’s do something (for the people).”
Sibu Jaya township has a population of about 30,000.