KUCHING: Kuching South City Hall (MBKS) mayor Datuk Wee Hong Seng held an engagement session with around 250 hawkers from Petanak Market, Jubilee Ground and Kueh Shiak Hong on Tuesday (May 5).
Petanak Market, built in 1988 as a resettlement site for hawkers displaced from Padungan and Gambir Street, has grown into one of Kuching’s most cherished food destinations.
Several stalls are now operated by third-generation families, a fact Wee highlighted with admiration.
“This shows that hawker trade is not only a business but also a family legacy, a culture and part of our city’s history.”
Acknowledging the rapidly shifting business landscape, he noted that customer expectations have evolved far beyond simply knowing the place or the people.
“Today’s diners weigh hygiene, comfort, service quality, online reviews and even digital delivery options before deciding where to eat.
“Our hawkers must continue to move forward. We must think out of the box, look at how to attract customers, improve presentation, maintain good hygiene, use social media, and create something special that makes people want to come back.”
Wee spoke at length about the outsized role hawkers play in the local economy.
“Beyond serving affordable meals to residents, traders support a wider supply chain of farmers, fishermen and small businesses while preserving the food culture that defines Kuching’s identity.
“When tourists come to Kuching, one of the things they remember most is our food and our hawker centres.”
On behalf of MBKS, Wee committed to continuing upgrades to market facilities, strengthening licensing enforcement, improving public spaces and maintaining cleanliness across all council-managed markets.
He called on the approximately 250 attendees to reciprocate by upholding food safety standards, managing waste responsibly and cooperating with council officers.
“A clean and well-managed market will attract more customers and benefit everyone.”
Closing with an appeal to younger traders, Wee encouraged the next generation to approach the trade with ambition and pride.
“Do not look at hawker business as something small.
“With creativity, good service and quality products, hawker businesses can grow and become very successful.”
