KOTA BARU: The state government hopes that the RM5.5 million upgrade for the 39-year-old Siti Khadijah wet market will attract more tourists to the state.
The State Local Government, Housing, Health, and Environment Committee chairman, Hilmi Abdullah, also expressed hope that the market would again be recognised as the cleanest public market after the renovation.
"Siti Khadijah wet market is one of the most popular wet markets in Malaysia, offering items such as fresh and dried herbs, spices, vegetables, fish, crackers, kitchen utensils, and more," he said.
"However, due to issues such as damaged roofing, poor public toilet conditions, and outdated electrical wiring, the market needs refurbishment and repairs to restore its full potential.
"We also hope that this upgrade, funded by a Federal Government allocation of RM5.5 million, will help attract more visitors from outside Kelantan," he added.
Hilmi said that the Siti Khadijah wet market was recognised as the cleanest public market by the Ministry of Local Government Development during the national celebration of World Health Day in 2021.
Regarding the upgrade project, he said it would be managed by contractors appointed by the ministry and would begin shortly, with cleaning handled by Kota Bharu Municipal Council (MPKB) staff.
Meanwhile, MPKB president Datuk Mohd Anis Hussein said that the council's officers would continue monitoring the market's cleanliness. To address this, he said that the council regularly inspects traders and carries out rat control operations.
"These operations against rats are conducted six times a year with traps, through which we successfully capture hundreds of them," he said.
He also warned traders to maintain cleanliness, adding that those found breaching council regulations would face stern action.