MCC plans to build seasonal fruit centre at old Pujut Corner bus station after durian confiscation fiasco

MIRI (Jan 19): Miri City Council (MCC) plans to develop the old Pujut Corner bus station into a seasonal fruit centre to accommodate fruit traders, including casual sellers who operate only during the fruit season.

Mayor Adam Yii Siew Sang said the council is currently not imposing any charges on traders selling fruits at the site.

“We encourage genuine fruit sellers to set up their stalls there. Our aim is to establish the area as a recognised Seasonal Fruit Centre so that both locals and visitors know where to go when they are looking for fruits,” he said at a press conference here on Monday.

He said centralising fruit trading at the site would allow the council to better manage cleanliness, environmental concerns and waste disposal.

Yii, who is also Pujut assemblyman, stressed that the council had no intention of causing hardship to traders, particularly those who rely on seasonal fruit sales for their livelihood.

“Our objective is to create a fair environment where everyone has an opportunity to earn a living.

“When new policies are introduced, there may be initial misunderstandings or teething issues, and that is understandable,” he said.

Commenting on the impounding of durians by the MCC enforcement team between Jan 13 and 15, Yii said the operation, carried out at several locations here, had attracted public attention on social media.

He said that prior to the enforcement action, officers had issued 28 warning notices and five compounds to traders.

“Despite these warnings and compounds, some traders continued to operate in breach of regulations,” he said.

Yii explained that enforcement officers had acted in accordance with standard operating procedures and that traders whose items were seized were informed that the impounded goods could be reclaimed upon payment of a penalty.

Out of 13 traders whose durians and other items, including weighing scales, were seized, only one had come forward to reclaim the items, he said.

Meanwhile, Yii said unclaimed items would be disposed of at the Kuala Baram disposal site.

Addressing allegations circulating online, Yii said the council has documentation and video recordings of the disposal process to ensure transparency.

“If the public wishes to view the evidence, the council can arrange it. We want to be transparent in our enforcement actions,” he said.