New Batu Pahat market a gift to residents

BATU PAHAT: The new Batu Pahat people’s market here is proof of Barisan Nasional’s commitment to delivering its pledge and fulfilling the people’s wishes.

Parit Sulong member of parliament Datuk Dr Noraini Ahmad said the market was a gift for the people, who previously had to do their grocery shopping at a 50year-old wet market.

She said the new market became a reality following a pledge by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak during his visit here in 2012.

“The delay in developing the market was caused by some wholesalers, who refused to relocate from the old market. They also took the matter to court.”

Noraini said Batu Pahat Municipal Council (MPBP) won the court case and was allowed to serve an eviction notice to the wholesalers to make way for the construction of the new market.

“They were instructed to move to the market in Taman Kota Murni and this resolved the dispute.”

Noraini said the opposition took advantage of the project delay and tried to make things worse by blaming it on the government.

MPBP president Shafiei Ahamad said the new market was expected to be launched on Thursday.

He said the new market would boost businesses in the surrounding areas.

Civil servant officer Abdul Ghafar Ahmad, 41, said he was looking forward to the opening of the market.

He said most of the traders had wanted the old market to be upgraded.

Trader Rabiah Ibrahim, 61, said the new market would provide comfort to shoppers and traders.

She said traders could arrange their products in a more pleasing set-up to attract shoppers.

“For more than 30 years, I did my business in the old market, which was small. Now, we have a bigger space to display our products.”

Trader Ara Jaafar, 40, said she hoped that traders at the new market would maintain cleanliness and cooperate with the management to ensure harmony.