IPOH, Nov 3 (Bernama) — The Pasar Buntong upgrade will resolve long-standing issues faced by traders and the public, particularly concerning safety and deteriorating infrastructure.
Buntong assemblyman M. Thulsi said the upgrade of the 70-year-old market was based on public complaints and a comprehensive study conducted by the authorities.
“Daily complaints and our findings show that the old market structure can no longer accommodate current needs, especially in terms of safety, drainage system and frequent traffic congestion.
“These upgrade works are also expected to provide greater comfort for traders and visitors at the market, which has existed for over 70 years,” he told Bernama at the Buntong assemblyman’s service centre here recently.
On Oct 9, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim announced that the allocation under Budget 2027 for small projects in local authority areas had been increased to nearly RM700 million, covering upgrades for parks, public toilets and stalls.
Apart from Pasar Buntong, the government will also build MADANI stalls and redevelop several hawker centres and public markets, including Kompleks Penjaja Jalan Chui Yin in Bentong, Pahang, and the Hill Trace hawker site in Georgetown, Penang.
Thulsi said the market’s upgrade will take four to five years, carried out jointly by the Ministry of Housing and Local Government (KPKT) and the Ipoh City Council (MBI).
The work will focus on facilities, trading spaces, drainage, and elderly- and disabled-friendly amenities.
“We hope the upgrade will be completed according to plan and that its benefits will be felt by the entire Buntong constituency, especially traders and residents,” he said.
He added that a temporary market worth RM2 million is being built near the original site to safeguard the livelihoods of some 230 traders during the upgrade works, and is expected to be ready by early next year at the latest.
Meanwhile, resident R. Gomaty, 64, welcomed the redevelopment announcement, saying the existing market structure is badly outdated and lacks the required safety features.
“Most shoppers now go elsewhere to avoid the parking hassle and the dirty surroundings,” she said.
Gomaty added that the allocation to upgrade the market shows the government’s concern for resolving the problems at Pasar Buntong.
— BERNAMA