image is not available

Wee speaks to reporters after the site visit. He is flanked by Zaiedi and Kho. – Photo by Chimon Upon

KUCHING (July 18): All 28 MyKiosk stalls at the Tabuan Jaya Old Market parking lot have now been fully taken up, said Kuching South Mayor Datuk Wee Hong Seng.

He pointed out the Kuching South City Council (MBKS) received a total of 53 applications for the kiosks.

“Among the 28 kiosks, there are nine fruit and vegetable stalls, 14 stalls that sell packed food and drinks, and five drink and fruit juice stalls,” Wee said during a site visit today.

The project funded by the federal Ministry of Housing and Local Government allows formerly illegal hawkers and B40 traders from the surrounding area to run businesses in a legal, safe, and clean space.

“So, we must say this is a good initiative that allows the low-income traders to earn a sustainable income by operating in a regulated environment.

“We encourage residents in the surrounding area to support these traders by patronising the MyKiosk stalls here,” Wee said.

In response to feedback about blocked parking spaces, he said the kiosks have been repositioned.

“We have extra car parks for the people nearby and for the people who come in to shop with the MyKiosk here,” he said.

image is not available

Wee (right) buys a pineapple from a trader. Also seen are Kho and Zaiedi. – Photo by Chimon Upon

He shared that each stall was constructed under a transparent tender process for RM13,500, well below comparable schemes, and built to strict specifications.

Traders enjoy six months’ free rent, after which they pay a quarterly rental of approximately RM140, he explained.

Regarding the two kiosks at Friendship Park, Wee said applications are still being evaluated.

“We must be fair to select them and to select that, you know, the one that should be there rather than having to be there.

“We don’t want it to spoil the actual image of Taman Sahabat,” he said.

He added MBKS will monitor all hawker centres within its jurisdiction to ensure that subsidised rents translate into genuinely affordable prices for consumers, not just benefits for traders.

“We want you to still be able to find RM3, RM3.50 kolo mee, coffee that you don’t have to pay RM4.80 but just RM1 in areas like Kenyalang, Bintawa, and Sungai Apong.

“Subsidies must benefit the rakyat, not operate without purpose,” he said.

He emphasised that every step, from calling tenders to selecting traders, followed established procedures designed to serve public interests.

Also present were Kuching South deputy mayor Datuk Dr Zaiedi Suhaili and MyKiosk project organising chairperson councillor Judy Kho.

The post MyKiosk: All Tabuan Jaya Old Market stalls taken up, Friendship Park tenants awaiting final selection appeared first on Borneo Post Online.