Safma takes charge of night seafood market — chairman
KOTA KINABALU: Sabah Fish Marketing Sdn Bhd (Safma) has taken over the management of the Ikan Todak Night Market site (Pasar Malam Ikan Todak) as of yesterday (May 23).
According to Safma chairman Datuk Ujang Sulani, the decision to take over the management of the site was to ensure it was done efficiently and systematically.
He said there were complaints from the vendors which led to the takeover, but he declined to elaborate.
Ujang said that they would also be discussing with the City Hall the presence of the trawlers docked at the market.
“We want to see how we can manage more effectively,” he said, adding that the presence of the trawlers was contributing to an environment that was not conducive to systematic management of the market.
Ujang also announced that the daily rental rate for vendors at the night market would be reduced and divided into two rates.
This was made following requests by the committee members of the night market headed by its chairman, Saudin Kadis who had earlier asked that the present rate of RM38 per night per stall be reduced to RM30.
“We will impose two rates. Stalls that were strategically located will be charged RM35 per night as compared to RM38 previously, while those sited at less popular spots will be charged RM30 per stall per night. The fee is inclusive of the GST (Goods and Services Tax),” hesaid.
Ujang also announced that Safma would not be imposing fees during some special occasions.
He said the ‘no-fee’ days would be between five days and 10 days per annum.
The days in which the fees would not be charged would be announced later.
More than 100 stalls are sited at the market which is popular for offering fresh seafood among tourists, particularly those from Peninsular Malaysia.
Earlier, Ujang launched the gotong-royong involving all the vendors operating at the night market to improve cleanliness of the area so that patrons can enjoy their meals without much complaints concerning hygiene.
“If the place is clean, tourists will come and this will benefit all the vendors here ... let this place be a venue that is targeted by tourists from abroad and locally,” he said.
Meanwhile, Saudin urged vendors to submit their proposals and complaints to the committee, which was established on May 12, instead of directly going to Safma.
“We will try to resolve the matter at the committee level first, and if we cannot, then we will bring it to the attention of Safma,” he said.
He also said that the committee acted as a channel between Safma and the vendors.
Also present at the event was Safma senior officer Amir Bangsa Haji Ahmad.