SIBU, June 21:The reopening of the night market on Saturday (June 20) after three months of closure due to Movement Control Order (MCO) has attracted big crowds of people that saw traders enjoying brisk business.
A total of 1,953 customers were recorded patronising the market last night.
The overwhelming response from the public caught chairman of Sibu Municipal Council, Councillor Clarence Ting and and chairman of Petty Traders and Market Committee, Councillor Albert Tiang by surprise.
Those food stall traders, according to Tiang, took only two hours to sell off their foods. The market opens from 5pm to 10pm nightly during this Recovery Movement Control Order (RMCO)
“As last night was the first night of trading, people were very enthusiastic to visit the market. This has caused long queue at the registration desk of the three entrances,” he said.
The three entrances which also act as exit points at the market are at Cross Road, Island Road and Market Road.
Tiang said the council was contemplating doing away with the registration but would keep the temperature scanning.
“When the registration of customers was implemented at five entry points at the central market last month, it caused massive jam of people. We had stopped doing that since then. As a similar thing is happening at the night market, we will also discard this process,” he said.
The council, he noted would need the approval of the Resident Office first before discontinuing the registration process.
The traders, he said are divided into two groups of Group A and B with 82 traders each.
“Tonight is Group A’s turn. We hope we can do away with the registration,” he said.
Last night, Tiang said only 45 stalls from Group B were opened as the rest who are elderly preferred not to trade as they were still feeling insecure with Covid-19.
Two of three security guards who are manning the entry/exit points are engaged by the Pasar Malam Hawkers Association while the other one by the council
The association, he said is collecting RM1 from every stall nightly to pay the security guards. -DayakDaily
