Ng says local produce found at Selangor markets is a major tourism draw.
PLANS are in the pipeline to turn morning and night markets in Selangor into tourism products, featuring local dishes and performances.
State local government and tourism committee chairman Ng Suee Lim said a project was ongoing to upgrade the facilities at such markets to attract more tourists.
“The state government, via the local authorities, are reviewing the locations and layout of these markets to ensure orderliness.
“We are also looking into various factors such as cleanliness and the availability of parking bays,” he said.
He was replying to Wong Siew Ki (PH-Seri Kembangan), who asked if there were plans to promote morning and night markets as tourism destinations.
Ng said the state was actively promoting public and night markets on the Plats platform.
He added that many public markets in his Sekinchan constituency served as a tourism draw as they sell interesting local produce from entrepreneurs in the vicinity.
Launched in 2020, Plats is an online directory to digitalise the operations of petty traders and hawkers in Selangor.
Wong also asked if the local authorities would issue temporary permits to street performers in a bid to draw more visitors to markets.
To this, Ng said applications from performers would be considered on a case-by-case basis to prevent abuse of the permits.
“The permits will be issued with strict conditions. This is to prevent the recipients from renting the permits out to others,” he said.
On an unrelated matter, state rural development, unity and consumers committee chairman Datuk Rizam Ismail told the state assembly sitting that from next year, only capable individuals would be appointed as village heads.
He said the candidates would have to meet a set criteria, including being academically qualified, with a pass in the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia or its equivalent as approved by the state government.
He was replying to a question from Dr Mohd Zamri Mohd Zainuldin (PN-Sungai Burong) about the state’s plans to ensure capable leaders were appointed to the post.
“The individual cannot be a bankrupt nor a civil servant.
“To be a village head, the person must also have clearance from the police, Selangor Islamic Department, Insolvency Department and National Anti-Drug Agency.
“The appointee’s mindset must also be acceptable by the villagers,” Rizam said on the criteria.
He said the Selangor-born leaders should have high integrity, be a registered voter in the area, and must be a resident of the village for at least five years before the appointment.
“However, the requirement does not demand that the appointee have a permanent source of income,” he said.
Shortlisted candidates, he added, would be called for an interview.
