Open market operators in Sandakan appeal for longer operating hours
SANDAKAN: Elopura assemblyman Calvin Chong Ket Kiun visited the Muhibbah Market Mile 2 ½ (beside Sandakan Integrated Bus Terminal) last Saturday to inspect the situation at the market and at the same time to identify problems faced by the hawkers there.
Chong said the market had been allowed to operate in accordance with the standard operating procedures (SOPs).
“There are one exit and two entrances to the market. At the entrance, there are hand sanitizers prepared for customers and a volunteer on duty will be recording the body temperature and details of each visitor,” he said.
Muhibbah Market chairman Sainuddin @ Muis Abdul Hakim had informed Chong that he had submitted an appeal to Sandakan Municipal Council (SMC) to extend the operating hours of the market from 1pm to 8pm.
Chong said Sainuddin had taken such action following advice from him.
“This is because a lot of people who go to this open market are those that have returned from work in the evening. However, they are not allowed in the market as it has passed the operating hours as set by SMC.
“Hence, I hope this appeal would be looked into and immediate action would be taken by SMC. If there is a positive response from SMC regarding this matter, then Muhibbah Market would slowly recover through several phases, after it was closed down during the Movement Control Order (MCO) that started on March 18,” he explained.