Irene Chang
SIBU (Aug 22): Bukit Assek assemblywoman Irene Chang wants the Sibu Municipal Council (SMC) to confirm on the status of the plan to renovate and relocate Tiong Hua Market here permanently to the site opposite Doremart Supermarket at Jalan Chew Siik Hiong.
She said she received feedback on the plan and then checked the website of SMC but was surprised that there is no information regarding any proposed construction.
“I therefore call on SMC to confirm if the information by nearby shop owners and their employees and customers that the ongoing construction at the site is for the permanent relocation of Tiong Hua Market is true,’ she said in a media statement.
Tiong Hua Market would have been closed for a year by Sept 26, she said.
According to her, the affected 34 hawkers have suffered tremendously caused by both the pandemic and the displacement of their trading venue.
If the information of the relocation is true, Chang added, SMC should inform whether the building plan for the new market has been approved, what it shall be like and would it include sufficient space to accommodate the food and beverage hawkers.
“Also, the people would also like to know what is the plan for the current Tiong Hua Market, when shall it be demolished and what shall it be used for thereafter,” she asked.
From the outset, if true, Chang said the idea of relocating Tiong Hua market to the site seems fine as the vicinity of the wet market to shops might boost the business of the hawkers.
“However, SMC needs to address the possibility of the relocation causing more congestion of people and traffic to the already congested area.”
Chang noted that there was indeed ongoing construction when she visited the site yesterday morning. However, there is no sign at the site to confirm on the building/structure to be constructed.
She also noticed the route of an ambulance coming from the Brooke Drive direction to turn at the roundabout into Lorong Langsat and into Jalan Chew Siik Hiong at Doremart before turning to Rejang Medical Centre.
“It is naturally expected that the ambulances would usually turn at the roundabout into Lorong Langsat rather than be caught in heavy traffic if they had gone straight down along Jalan Dr Wong Soon Kai where they would do a U-turn to the other side of the road which would lead to Rejang Medical Centre.”
But she wondered if the entrance at Doremart Supermarket, which is congested by traffic of people doing their marketing at Tiong Hua Market and Doremart Supermarket, would hinder the smooth flow of the ambulances during emergencies.
“SMC should therefore, before putting this plan into action, plan carefully first and take into account the overall situation if the relocation would cause any serious undesirable consequences in hindering Rejang Medical Center in carrying out their emergency services.”
She also urged SMC to sort out this matter with the medical centre and perhaps provide an alternative route for the ambulances during emergencies.
“It would also be good if SMC get the feedback of the hawkers and the nearby shop owners first before putting their plan into action in order that all contingencies may be taken into consideration with solutions being provided for before full implementation,” the assemblywoman urged.