Sibu Jaya market still running, with fewer stalls
SIBU: Sibu Jaya night market currently operates seven days a week, despite experiencing a drop in the number of stalls.
Sibu Rural District Council (SRDC) deputy chairman Robert Lau Hui Yew said the number of stalls was down from 100 to 30 and 40 stalls on weekends, and about 20 stalls on weekdays.
“When the night market first started, there was a lot of hype and many people wanted to trade as it was also the end of the year with festive seasons. So, we just increased the number of stalls.
“I know that we cannot sustain so many stalls. Sibu Jaya has a population of about 30,000 people and there are quite a number of food outlets besides the ‘ Pasar Ria’, which already has over 40 stalls,” he said when met at the break- of- fast session in Surau Darul Saadah here recently where Assistant Minister of Education and Technological Research Dr Annuar Rapaee was also present.
Lau, however, believed the number of stalls at the night market would grow over time.
Touching on the operating hours, he said the council decided to allow traders to operate the whole day as the open space is off limits to vehicles.
“Regular business (at Sibu Jaya night market) has slowed down compared to when it first opened, but this is normal. It is open daily, from morning to night presently,” he added.
Lau assured the public that the canopies, which had worn out after six months of usage, would be replaced soon, adding that the new stock had arrived.