SIBU, Oct 4: The decades old Tiong Hua Road market here will be demolished and a new one to be built at the same site.
Sibu Municipal Council (SMC) Market and Petty Traders chairman Albert Tiang said today a report by the Public Works Department (PWD) had advised that the market be demolished as it is unsafe for use due to structural cracks on its walls.
The structural cracks started to appear on Sept 17 this year. The market was subsequently closed on Sept 26 but the hawkers were allowed to trade at the side using canopy
“The PWD will come out with another detail report in another two months’ time before we can decide when to demolish it,” he said.
Tiang said pending the whole process, it might be another 12 months before a new market could be constructed.
As for the 34 traders, he said they will be relocated to a temporary site behind the previous Uncle Dom Cafe in Jalan Chiew Siik Hiong here.
Yesterday (October 3), Local Government and Housing Minister Datuk Seri Dr Sim Kui Hian visited the market. He was accompanied by SMC chairman Clarence Ting.
According to Dr Sim, the safety of the hawkers and members of the public was of paramount importance.
“SMC will take the necessary action based on independent professional assessment and (we) will support to rebuild if necessary,” he said.-DayakDaily
