Pasar Kedai Payang or Pasar Payang, an iconic spot here, is the focus of tourists because it combines various items under one roof, but this is expected to change following the announcement of a new complex, causing anxiety among the traders there.
The state government has announced that, after the opening of the new complex, the temporary location currently being used by the traders will continue to operate, creating two Pasar Kedai Payang, with sales in each complex separated by category.
Ara Sidek, a 56-year-old food product trader, said that the matter had taken the traders by surprise, as it had been promised that all the traders, who were previously housed in temporary premises, would later move under one roof in the new complex.
“Something different was mentioned before. Now we are hearing different things. I heard that the new complex would focus on selling batik and handicraft products and would be turned into a shopping mall. I disagree with that.
“I have also seen what happens when two markets are built next to each other. Visitors will not go to both markets. One of the two markets will suffer losses and will not survive. So, in this case, the traders are the ones who suffer,” said Ara, who has been doing business there for 25 years.
Dahiyah Zulkifli, 24, who sells batik products, is looking forward to moving to a new complex with better facilities, but feels uncomfortable, as for her the identity of Pasar Kedai Payang will fade if the nature of the business is separated in the future.
“We have been doing business together for a long time. I sell batik, my friend sells food, wet produce and so on, and it’s fun when everyone is under one roof. Of course, if we are to be separated, it will feel different later on, not only for the visitors but also for the traders.
“Also, the parking problem will become worse if it is true that there will be two Pasar Kedai Payang,” she said.
Meanwhile, Barisan Nasional (BN) candidate for the Seberang Takir state seat, Datuk Seri Ahmad Razif Abdul Rahman, understands the problem and hopes the new Terengganu state government will reconsider the decision in the interest of traders and visitors.
He said that the original planning for the project, which began when he still held the post of Menteri Besar, was for the current temporary market to be converted into a convention centre, to support the operation of the new market complex, once the original market was fully renovated.
“This new complex will be equipped with various facilities, including air conditioning, for everyone’s comfort. This will certainly increase the cost, but we do not want to burden the local authority (PBT).
“With the establishment of the convention centre, it will help cover the operational costs and reduce the financial burden on the local authority. However, if the present state government decides to have two markets, will the PBT be able to maintain these two buildings?
“We know that the rents are inexpensive… and of course, we do not want to burden the traders (by increasing the rents),” he said.
Recently, Kuala Terengganu mayor, Rosli Latif, announced that the RM69.3 million refurbishment project was almost complete, and the new complex would open to visitors by the end of this year.
This was supposed to be good news, but it turned out that the majority of traders met at the market here claimed otherwise, as the unexpected announcement indicated that there would be two markets at the location.
Source: BERNAMA News Agency