Traders lost more than livelihood
Part of people’s connection and history also destroyed in Seremban market fire
When I saw clips of the market being engulfed in massive flames on Saturday night, my heart sank. Dino
SEREMBAN: Fifty-year-old Dino might have left Seremban 33 years ago but he always made it a point to eat at the famous beef noodles shop located on the upper floor of the Seremban wet market whenever he was back for a visit.
While he and his two teenage children tucked into the delectable dish, his wife Andrea would step off to get her supply of fresh kampung chicken eggs on the same floor of the 39-year-old facility.
“When I saw clips of the market being engulfed in massive flames on Saturday night, my heart sank,” said Dino, a fan of the market’s authentic and well-known beef noodles.
The upper level of the two-storey building was largely destroyed in the fire.
The market was relocated to Jalan Tun Dr Ismail here from the Jalan Dr Krishnan-Jalan Datuk Bandar Tunggal junction in 1978.
It became a popular meeting place for local folk who enjoyed the breezy and bustling atmosphere.
Conversations were often disrupted when traders or workers brought up their stuff from motorcycles equipped with a side car.
Apart from beef noodles, patrons would also vouch that the best wan tan mee, Hakka mee, assam laksa, Chinese mixed rice as well as Indian delights such as idli and thosai could be savoured here.
They could also still get the best brewed coffee served in old-style ceramic cups and saucers with roti
stim or roti bakar (steamed or toasted bread).
The place would be packed on weekdays except for Tuesdays when it was closed.
During weekends, customers, who did their marketing, needed to queue up to get tables for breakfast.
Many from the middle and lower income families also thronged the market to have their clothes sewn or to buy flowers for special occasions.
Those looking for old music CDs and cassettes could find them here for a song.
One coffee shop operator, who had been operating since the market’s opening, was sad to have lost customers who were “more like family to me”.
“I hope the authorities will rebuild this place,” said the 74-yearold, who only wants to be known as Loh.
Another long-time operator, 68-year-old beef noodles seller Chong Nyuk Ling, lamented that he could not continue his business although his shop was unaffected by the blaze.
“I can’t operate here until the entire place is rebuilt,” said Chong.
Businessman R. Ganesh Raj, 49, who had his breakfast at an Indian stall there a day before the fire, hoped the authorities would quickly fix the damaged section.
“Too many traders and people are connected to this special floor.
“This place must be rebuilt as it is synonymous with Seremban,” he said.