An artist’s impression of the redeveloped Pasir Pinji market.
Traders at Pasir Pinji market in Ipoh, Perak, hope the new premises will be up and running by 2027 as promised.
The 65-year-old market had been earmarked for redevelopment, with about RM14mil already allocated by Housing and Local Government Ministry (KPKT) for its reconstruction, which is expected to begin this year.
Pastry seller Lie Mei Lee said she had seen the blueprint and artist’s impression of the new market, and was looking forward to seeing it completed.
“We are really excited,” she said when met at the temporary Pasir Pinji market, which is about 1km from the old market.
Lie said traders had numerous meetings with Ipoh Timur MP Howard Lee and Pasir Pinji assemblyman Goh See Hua on how best to rebuild the market.
“If it is built according to the plan, there will be a single floor for the market area and an underground parking lot.
“We were told that it is going to be an advanced and modern market,” she said.
The temporary Pasir Pinji market is now in operation.
Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming first announced the redevelopment of the market in January 2023.
The plan was to demolish the dilapidated market, which was built in 1959, and redevelop it into a modern market.
Traders had previously been divided over the project, with some fearing that their business would be affected when they were relocated during the construction period.
The new market, which can accommodate 214 traders, will be built with environmentally friendly features.
Fishmonger Cheong Bee Leng also said she was satisfied with the design for the market.
“Our customers are mainly the elderly and they do not want to climb stairs.
“We want a single floor, that is all that matters to us and our customers,” she said.
On the temporary market, Cheong said business was better than when they were at the old location.
“Business hours are longer and we are getting more customers, including new ones.
“Because the market is located near a field, some folk would come here to shop after they exercise,” she noted.
Cheong said the old market was smelly, dirty and had lots of rats and other pests, which were among the reasons people did not want to go there anymore.
“The temporary market is clean, well-ventilated and more comfortable,” she added.
Sundry goods seller Yong Bee Mhoon said she hoped that the stalls allocated to them at the reconstructed market would be bigger than the ones at the old market.
During the opening of the temporary market, Nga assured traders that the new market would look amazing once completed.
“If you think the temporary market is good, the new market will be better.
“It will have a comfortable environment and the potential to become a tourist attraction,” he said.
