Seremban wet market traders to operate rent-free at temporary site

SEREMBAN: The 327 traders who were displaced after a fire destroyed the upper floor of the Seremban wet market here on Saturday will not be charged any rent when operating out of temporary lots situated at the market car park.

MCA Youth chief Datuk Chong Sin Woon said the Seremban Municipal Council (MPS) had agreed to this after a meeting with the traders' association.

"The affected traders will only be charged rent once they move back into the building. Till then, they can continue to operate at the temporary lots for free," he said after meeting some of the affected traders at the wet market on Monday.

Chong said MPS would need between eight and 10 months to carry out repairs to the upper floor, which was 80% destroyed in the blaze.

He said repairs would only commence after experts certify that the building is safe.

"The Fire and Rescue Department and MPS engineers will need at least two weeks before they can tell us if the building is safe," he said.

Chong said the traders on the ground floor could continue to operate as usual as they were not affected by the blaze.

He said the entire car park around the market would be turned into temporary lots for the traders.

"The authorities will also supply them power and water until they move back in," he said, but added that those who wanted to use refrigerators would need to get their own power generators.

He said the authorities would also repair the public toilet on the ground floor and provide mobile toilets for the convenience of both the traders and the public.