Miri health watch on 400 traders at six Ramadan bazaars

MIRI: Four hundred traders will open their business for the upcoming month of Ramadan from June 6 until July 5 at six bazaar locations throughout the city.

Miri mayor Lawrence Lai said the Ramadan bazaars are located at Saberkas commercial centre, Indoor Stadium’s parking compound, Morsjaya commercial centre, Taman Jelita, Permy Mall carpark and the carpark of New World Mart in Lutong.

“We have already conducted cleanliness and a health briefing to the Ramadan bazaar’s traders last month.

“The briefing –jointly organised by Miri Divisional Health Office and public health section of Miri City Council (MCC) – was to infuse the traders with hygiene and health input to ensure the foods being sold at the bazaars are safe and wholesome as well as the traders observing a high standard of cleanliness,” he stated to media at a press conference yesterday.

Lai stressed that it is compulsory

The briefing –jointly organised by Miri Divisional Health Office and public health section of Miri City Council (MCC) – was to infuse the traders with hygiene and health input to ensure the foods being sold at the bazaars are safe and wholesome as well as the traders observing a high standard of cleanliness. Lawrence Lai, Miri mayor

for all Ramadan bazaar traders to undergo food handler and food inspection courses.

In addition to that, he said stall inspection and food sampling will be carried out periodically by Miri Medical Office and food unit of MCC throughout the month.

He said the MCC is also seeking cooperation from the public who patronise the Ramadan bazaar to lodge an immediate report to the council on any poor cleanliness and unhygienic practice in the bazaar, particularly those found selling stale or unsold food from the previous day.

“I f the people have a bad experience in foods or drinks with such errant traders just lodge a report immediately to the council for further action instead of posting the complaint on media social.”

He said to direct complaints to the Miri Division Health Office by contacting 085-424722 or the MCC’s public health section 085- 442451.

Other than that, he encouraged the traders to go green and try to minimise on usage of plastic in the bazaar.

Also present at the press conference were the chairman of MCC’s permanent standing committee for market, traders and hawkers Councillor Kueh Chie Tiong, chairman of Ramadan Bazaar committee Councillor Khatijah Datuk Muip and her deputy councillor Laila Mohamad.