By William Isau
SIBU, July 10: A proposal has been made to turn Sungai Seduan into another hotspot that could boost economic activity in Sungai Merah.
Speaking at the earth-breaking ceremony of the new RM4.55-million Sungai Merah Market today, Deputy Minister of Public Health, Housing and Local Government, Michael Tiang, said the project would be the start of something new for Sungai Merah.
The riverside, he noted, would be a place where people could buy groceries at the new market and, at the same time, dine nearby the river.
“Next year, we will look at the riverside and continue developing this area with a mixture of old and new shophouses to attract people,” he said.
Tiang, who is also Pelawan assemblyman, believed that he could turn things around in another four years.
“Give me another four years. I think we can make big changes in Sungai Merah and have better economic development,” he said.
Tiang said his main mission was to uplift economic development for Sungai Merah and Pelawan.
“Besides having this new market building, we want it to be better managed to draw the crowd,” he added.
On the new double-storey market, he said it would be five times bigger than the old one.
Sibu Municipal Council chairman Clarence Ting said traders could begin operating by Chinese New Year in 2024 when it is completed.
“Finally, after three years, this project is going to start. The basement will be a car park area while the upper floor will house traders,” he said.
Ting said the council had to demolish the old market and build a new one in the same place to cater for the growing population of Sungai Merah. — DayakDaily
