Satok Flyover cobblers request basic facilities
KUCHING: Cobblers operating kiosks under Satok Flyover have called on Kuching North City Commission (DBKU) to provide them with basic facilities to make working conditions more comfortable.
The cobblers have operated from the kiosks since November last year.
“We thank DBKU for providing us with the kiosks, but we do not have electricity for lighting, no toilets and washroom facilities to ease and wash ourselves,” Wak Sarip, 52, told thesundaypost yesterday.
“If possible we want our service area surrounding the kiosks to be cemented as for now it is only covered with a concrete slab and has gaps. If the service area is cemented properly, customers will feel comfortable walking on it.”
Wak said the cobblers had written to DBKU to request the improvements.
“The authorities have the power to give these facilities as it is at the tip of the council’s pen. I do not think it is a very difficult thing to solve. Only then we can talk about a holistic approach in making Kuching a clean, beautiful and safe city,” he said.
“We want to improve ourselves and provide services to the public but the authority is alang-alang (not wholehearted) in helping us.”
Wak added that he earns around RM30 a day after expenses.
“The money is just enough for me and my family but if there is electricity and lighting at night, maybe we can extend our business hours. Currently we start from 7am to 4.30pm, and my kiosk is closed on Friday,” he said.
According to Wak, there are some 40 active cobblers around Kuching and called on DBKU to assist them by providing more kiosks.
The six cobblers operating at the kiosks pay RM30 per month in rent.