SIBU: The old Sungai Merah market centre here will be demolished to pave way for more modern and contemporary double-storey market building costing RM4.55 million.
It is expected to be completed in 18 months’ time.
According to Sibu Municipal Council (SMC) Market and Petty Traders Standing Committee chairman Cr. Albert Tiang, it would be a big market to cater for the increasing population of Sungai Merah and Ulu Sungei Merah areas.
“Presently the existing market is very old and small; and the things offered for sales at the place to our shoppers are very much less.
“After the completion of the new market project, we will increase the number of food court stalls. We haven’t finalised the number yet but I assume it will have an addition of more than 10 stalls,” he told reporters when officiating at the opening of the temporary Sungei Merah market centre for business at Sungei Merah Heritage Walk here today.
Albert said at present there are 18 stalls comprising five food and beverage stalls, three pork stalls and the rest are selling fresh fish, dressed poultry and vegetables.
The construction work for the new market building will kick off after the project’s earth-breaking ceremony that will be declared open by the Deputy Minister for Public Health, Housing and Local Government, Michael Tiang Ming Tee on July 10 at 9am.
Touching on the temporary Sungei Merah market centre which commenced business today, he said from feedback of the hawkers concerned, the public response was overwhelming.
He said every time the SMC arranged for temporary market centre, the foremost question coming to the hawkers’ mind was their concern of affecting their business.
“Every time the SMC is making the decision, we will take into the environment, traffic flow and strategic location that will augur well for business,” he assured.
