KOTA BELUD, In the past, Usal Jon, 53, sold agricultural produce like vegetable and fruits by the roadside, but now, he is happy and excited to trade at a new stall that is clean and comfortable at the Kota Belud Bazar Rakyat (People’s Bazaar) here.
Usal, who hails from Kampung Tempasuk I, described the bazaar as a complete infrastructure with conducive public facilities that provides comfort to traders and visitors which can also help him develop business potential and further increase his sales revenue.
He thanked the government as well as local leaders for successfully developing a bazaar with the best infrastructure, capable of providing comfort, to all.
“Here, there is a parking lot that provides convenience for traders and visitors. Previously, I was doing business by the side of the road, then I applied to do business in this bazaar and I got it.
“I also hope that the relevant parties can promote the People’s Bazaar in order to attract more visitors to shop and support the businesses of local traders here,” he said when met by Bernama here today.
The Kota Belud People’s Bazaar was inaugurated by Housing and Local Government Minister Datuk Seri Reezal Merican Naina Merican today. Its construction began on Jan 6, 2016 and the building was handed over to the Kota Belud District Council in February to replace a previous market that could not meet the needs of traders and residents anymore.
The bazaar area which was originally the site of a pasar tani (farmer’s market) and a row of shops, made way for a three-storey premises to be built at a cost of RM24 million and house the bazaar which provides a more organised and comfortable business premises for traders and visitors in addition to benefitting more than 100,000 residents.
The bazaar has 148 ‘wet’ stations; 78 handicraft and textile units; 26 food court stalls and 60 parking bays, as well as provides new business opportunities.
Another trader Dosilih Tompuling, 48, from Kampung Melangkap Kapa, said the infrastructure of the People’s Bazaar is very good compared to the former pasar tani because traders can do business at any time and are protected from the heat and rain.
“This People’s Bazaar is very comfortable. Whether it rains or shines we can still do business. I hope this bazaar will be turned into a one-stop centre (by offering a variety of goods) for the convenience of traders and buyers,” said Dosilih, who has been selling agricultural produce since 2005.
Meanwhile, Reezal Merican said the People’s Bazaar also uses a cashless payment system, QRPay Duitnow, for registered traders.
The culture of cashless payment is expected to contribute towards higher transactions and will make it easier for people to conduct business using the current technology, he added.
Source: Malaysian National News Agency
