‘Iconic’ Sibu Jaya night market a real crowd puller
SIBU: The night market at Sibu Jaya commercial area is now bustling with life nearly a week after its opening.
Sibu Rural District Council ( SRDC) chairman Sempurai Petrus Ngelai, who described the market as an ‘icon’ of the township, said the atmosphere of Sibu Jaya is now livelier as large crowds throng the premises.
“It (night market) creates a lively atmosphere in Sibu Jaya town. On normal days, the township is rather quiet after office hours.
“The display of goods and the standardised canopies with the colourful lightings really spruces up the evening ambience, drawing crowds from far and near.
“It is a real crowd-puller,” he told The Borneo Post recently.
The night market operates three nights a week from 4pm till 11pm, and has about 100 stalls selling food and merchandise.
Sempurai revealed that the council has also designated a space for buskers to further liven the atmosphere.
“We are going to invite performers to attract not only those interested in music, but also Sibu Jaya residents to shop at the night market. I think this augurs well for the township as we want to make it merrier,” he enthused.
On the request by traders for more days to trade, he said: “We
It (night market) creates a lively atmosphere in Sibu Jaya town. On normal days, the township is rather quiet after office hours.
need to gauge the response from the public for these few months. “We will increase the number of days for them to trade when the demand has increased.”
Meanwhile, food vendor Jenny Tiong was all smiles when met by The Borneo Post, saying she enjoyed the brisk business.
“There has been a good crowd and the only concern is the weather. We are very thankful to SRDC for providing us a place to trade to earn our living.
“The stalls are neatly arranged and perhaps, this is one of the pull factors,” she opined.
On a separate matter, Sempurai warned coffee shop operators not to place their tables and chairs at parking lots near the night market, pointing out that it was a clear violation of council rules.
“We need a bit of time to educate the people as the night market has just started.
“Therefore, I urge all of them especially eatery operators to abide by the rules or risk getting compounded.”
Sempurai Petrus Ngelai, Sibu Rural District Council (SRDC) chairman