Successful Sibu Jaya night market churns extra income for residents
SIBU: The newly set-up Sibu Jaya night market parading 104 stalls selling a wide variety of food, drinks and merchandise is a hit among the people.
Operating from 4pm to 11pm every Friday, Saturday and Sunday, folks from all walks of life frequent the night market, according to Sibu Rural District Council ( SRDC) chairman Sempurai Petrus Ngelai.
“A month after it opened, Sibu Jaya night market attracted a lot of local residents and those from surrounding areas. The success of the night market stemmed from the commitment and the passion of the council staff and my deputy (chairman) Cr Robert Lau.
“So far, the night market has 104 stalls and we have more than 40 applicants on the waiting list. This shows that the night market is well received by Sibu Jaya residents,” he told The Borneo Post yesterday.
Adding on, Sempurai revealed that for now, the council gives priority to Sibu Jaya residents to trade at the night market to help them supplement their income.
“This is the whole idea behind Sibu Jaya night market - to help the residents earn extra income by giving them entrepreneurship opportunity through trading in the night market,” Sempurai said in elaborating on the positive impact of the night market.
He explained that this is part of the Ministry of Local Government and Housing’s Local Key Results Areas ( LKRAs) planned for local authorities’ ( PBTs) key performance index (KPI).
“I hope this night market not only assists the locals to earn extra income but become an attraction for people from outside the township to come to Sibu Jaya.
“This will indirectly help the local business to flourish and make Sibu Jaya with a population of about 30,000, a lively town especially at night,” he enthused.
Minister of Local Government and Housing Datuk Dr Sim Kui Hian officially launched the night market in Sibu Jaya last Friday evening.
Dr Sim said this was the first night market out of 17 planned for the state under the Ministry of Local Government and Housing.