Sandakan Municipal Council postpones notice to hawkers on vacating Central Market

SANDAKAN – The municipal council has postponed the notice to vacate the Central Market here after DAP and Warisan lawmakers slammed the local authority for only giving the traders five days to empty the premises for a three-month closure.

The Sandakan Municipal Council (SMC) had on September 12 issued a notice to all 855 hawkers at the market, instructing them to vacate the market, beginning September 17 until upgrading work is completed. 

But the hawkers were outraged, as it did not provide them enough time to temporarily relocate their businesses.

Many of them approached local representatives, including from DAP reps, Tg Papat’s Datuk Frankie Poon Ming Fung and Sandakan’s Vivian Wong. 

Warisan’s Elopura rep Calvin Chong Ket Kiun, Karamunting rep George Hiew Vun Zin, and Sekong rep Alias Sani have also been sought by hawkers regarding the matter.

This led to a meeting between SMC president Benedict Asmat, councillors, and the lawmakers today.  

SMC said that it will require more time to look into the issue and discuss the matter with the Occupational Safety and Health Department. 

The three-storey Sandakan Central Market, which was built in 2006, has had various problems over the years such as faulty elevators and electrical wiring, piping and faded paint. 

While the reps support the upgrading work, they were concerned for the livelihoods of the hawkers here.  

Warisan reps urged SMC to conduct the upgrading work in phases, while DAP reps asked for SMC to provide another space outside the market for traders to conduct their businesses.  

“The meeting today showed the sincerity of the local authorities in helping the people. We hope that SMC will consider our suggestions.  

“The hawkers are not concerned about the RM60 rental fee per month; they are concerned about their livelihoods if they cannot conduct their businesses,” Hiew said after meeting with the hawkers today.  

Meanwhile, Poon said it is impossible that SMC, which has many pieces of land, cannot provide vacant land for the hawkers to ply their trades when the market is closed.  

“It is a difficult time for them as they are only starting to cover their losses during the Covid-19 pandemic,” he said. – The Vibes, September 15, 2022