Selfish trader causes traffic havoc at bazaar

The chaotic scene at Sg. Maong Bazaar yesterday.

KUCHING: Folk at Sg Maong Bazaar or 3rd Mile Market are upset with an inconsiderate trader who has erected huge tents over at least five parking bays in the already congested market.
The situation is made worse by the fact that the coming festive and seasonal fruit seasons had lured more people to the community market lately.

Picture a bustling and congested area teeming with old-fashioned shophouses selling kolok mee and coffee and hawkers selling desserts, durians, rambutans, dabai, imported fruits, cakes, breads, and others.

Eventually, impatient drivers will start honking as traffic comes to a standstill.
Despite parking being a nightmare due to narrow roads and limited parking bays, the wet market and grocery shops in Sg. Maong Bazaar remains a favourite place for nearby residents.

A regular visitor to the bazaar, who wished to be identified only as Mr Yang, described as ‘selfish’ the businessman who erected the huge canopies and filled up the area underneath them with tables for his wares.

“He (businessman) set them up about a week ago. It looks like he intends to stay put through Christmas to Chinese New Year,” he told The Borneo Post yesterday.

“Last year, he was here selling mandarin oranges during Chinese New Year.”

He lamented the authorities lacked the will to enforce the laws.

The huge tents that occupy five parking bays at Sg. Maong Bazaar.

When The Borneo Post asked the man manning the makeshift ‘store’ what he intended to sell as the tables were all empty, he replied, “Durians. Not yet delivered.”

The man, apparently a hired worker, had been there as early as 6am to `reserve’ the parking lots before the crowd came.

When contacted yesterday, Padawan Municipal Council (MPP) chairman Lo Khere Chiang replied in a Whatsapp: “We will enforce (the law) accordingly.”

Lo, however, did not reply when MPP would be taking appropriate action.

During the last Chinese New Year, the same trader also occupied five parking lots. Lo, when asked to comment then, told The Borneo Post the trader had rented three parking lots from MPP, but his tents occupied five lots and “the tents were a little too big”.

Lo said: “When we give a little flexibility, it doesn’t mean I’m weak or letting the public to climb over my head. The decision was purely on consideration to allow hardworking individuals do business in conjunction with Chinese New Year.”

Lo was also quoted to have also said that MPP would send warning letters to errant traders and to remind them not to repeat the offence.

“If they fail to comply, MPP will not allow them to trade at Sg. Maong Bazaar in the future,” he assured.

December 14, 2015, 

 reporters@theborneopost.com