Sibu’s Sg Merah Market hawkers to move to newly rebuilt market this month

SIBU (Nov 1): All hawkers at the Sungai Merah Market are expected to relocate to the newly-rebuilt market sometime this month.

Deputy Minister of Public Health, Housing and Local Government Datuk Michael Tiang said the soft opening of the market will take place this month, while the official opening is scheduled for around December.

“Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg has been invited to attend the official opening,” he said when met by reporters during his visit at the newly rebuilt Sungai Merah Market, yesterday.

The Pelawan assemblyman said he believes the market would boost the local economy in the area, adding that traders and consumers would experience better choices, environment and facilities at the market.

“It will have more stalls and be disabled-friendly. It will also be incorporated with historical galleries as we want to embrace the new and at the same time remember the old.

“Sungai Merah is about 100 years old already. It is where my ancestors from China set foot in and it is also where the Melanau established their community here, making it a place of very high historical value.

“We want to repackage this town not just for the locals, but also for tourists visiting here,” he said.

Joining Tiang during the visit was Deputy Minister in the Premier’s Department Datuk Dr Juanda Jaya.