Copyright dayakdaily
By Amanda L KUCHING, Oct 27: While the Kuching South City Council (MBKS) will continue to maintain low hawker centre rental rates to protect small traders, the council also reminded traders not to impose restaurant-level pricing to ensure food remains affordable for the public. According to MBKS Mayor Dato Wee Hong Seng, the council subsidises operations heavily, with around RM1 million spent each year on maintenance, including lighting, fans, gas and repair works, while new tables and chairs will also be provided soon to further support traders. “We keep rent low so hawkers can offer fair prices to consumers. That is how we stay competitive. “You are not paying RM7,000 or RM10,000 rent like restaurants do. A hawker centre is not a restaurant. Business must be profitable, but please make fair profits,” he said at the appointment ceremony for the council’s Market and Hawker Liaison Committee here today. Furthermore, he noted that post-pandemic competition from supermarkets has contributed to an increase in empty stalls. Therefore, hawkers must work together to remain relevant. “This market does not belong to the council alone. It belongs to the traders and the customers who shop here. What the council gives, you should also give back,” he said, adding that committee members should help report cleanliness and security issues for swift action,” he said. To strengthen cooperation, MBKS plans to hold engagement sessions with hawkers at least once a year starting from 2026. In addition, a ‘Love Your Market’ campaign will be introduced to encourage unity, pride and a stronger market identity. Citing the successful expansion of the Kuching Natural Farmers’ Market from just 15 to nearly 50 stalls, Wee expressed confidence that local markets can thrive again when traders collaborate and support each other. Meanwhile, a total of 30 Market and Hawker Liaison Committee members received their appointment letters, further reinforcing Wee’s call for stronger cooperation between traders and the council. — DayakDaily
