BANDAR Sungai Long morning market traders are happy that Housing and Local Government Ministry (KPKT) has allocated RM15mil to build a permanent market in the township next year.
With this facility, 68 roadside traders who have been operating along Persiaran SL 1 for nearly three decades will be moved to the new market with better amenities.
Once the market building is ready, Persiaran SL 1 will no longer be closed in the morning and there will be better traffic flow as well as more parking space.
This move would also mean that about 100 traders at Laman Niaga Komuniti MPKJ @Sg Long, which was set up during the Covid-19 pandemic on a plot of land near Jalan SL 2/3, would also benefit.
On Oct 24, Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming said the market was among 12 planned under Budget 2025.
Bandar Sungai Long Petty Traders Association secretary Terry Gibson was grateful to those who pushed for the market premises.
“It is our dream to trade from a proper market,” he said, hoping the association, which manages the morning market, would be consulted in the design and allowed to collaborate with the new market management committee.
“We hope Kajang Municipal Council (MPKj) will discuss with us to ensure the building will benefit both traders and customers,” he said.
Gibson noted that Laman Niaga, which cost RM650,000 to refurbish last year, would now have to make way for the permanent market.
Old-time resident of Bandar Sungai Long and former chairman of Taman Taming Indah Residents Association Ben Ong said that allocation could have been used for other purposes.
He said temporary solutions often required more work later, which meant higher costs, and that permanent solutions were more sustainable as they were designed to last longer.
“The temporary market structure, for which construction began last year, is still not complete.
“With the permanent market being planned next year, what is the plan for the temporary structure that have been put up?” he asked.
Ong called on Kajang assemblyman David Cheong to bring up the matter with the authorities.
“The government must be efficient and accountable for public funds,” said Ong.
MPKj could not be reached for comments at press time.
