Mayor urges Song Kheng Hai hawkers to maintain quality, extend operating hours

KUCHING (Feb 28): Kuching South mayor Datuk Wee Hong Seng has called on petty traders at the Song Kheng Hai Hawker Centre to uphold food quality, hygiene and safety standards.

He also encouraged them to consider operating at night to help rejuvenate economic activities in the area.

“Our hawkers at Song Kheng Hai should also make sure that they maintain fixed operating hours,” he said at a festive gathering held at the hawker centre on Thursday (Feb 26).

Wee noted that the Song Kheng Hai Hawker Centre was inaugurated more than 30 years ago, with many operators having since passed down their businesses to the next generation.

He said the hawkers have not only contributed to the continued development of the area but also played an important role in providing affordable food and beverages to the local community.

The mayor added that councillors from Kuching South City Council (MBKS) have been patronising the hawker centre not only to enjoy local delicacies but also to gather feedback from the ground.

“Most of the KMC Flats residents are the B40 group who would appreciate reasonably priced food and beverages.”

He expressed confidence that hawkers at the centre have maintained food quality, hygiene and safety while keeping prices reasonable.

He went on to say that Kuching, which has become a Unesco Creative City of Gastronomy, should continue to promote its rich, diverse food culture.

“Traditional gastronomy supports small holders and at the same time promotes the capital city of Sarawak to the world,” he said.

Given this, Wee encouraged Song Kheng Hai hawkers to maintain regular business hours or extend operations into the evening to boost revenue.

“Song Kheng Hai area has greater potential for further development. MBKS will come up with more plans to bring about progress in the near future.

“We hope operators concerned will be prepared for future development,” he added.