Seberang Jaya market revamp complete, set for Dec launch

The newly redeveloped public market and hawker centre in Seberang Jaya, Mukim 1, is set to open its doors to the public this December.

This extensive project, initiated in 2019, brings modern facilities and increased trading spaces, promising a boost to the local economy and improved services for residents.

Enhanced facilities for Seberang Jaya’s public market

The project, valued at RM19.5 million, was fully funded by Zubicon Development Sdn. Bhd. using cross-subsidisation from adjacent residential and commercial developments.

Developed on a 12.5-acre site owned by the Penang Development Corporation (PDC), the site features 263 trading spaces, an upgrade from the previous 239, allowing room for additional vendors.

Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow confirmed, “The State Government prioritised this project to ensure that it meets the needs of the Seberang Jaya community despite delays due to the pandemic.”

Key additions include over 200 unlicensed vendor sites and 450 parking spaces, catering to both traders and the daily influx of visitors.

This redevelopment project also prioritised environmental standards, achieving a Green Building Index (GBI) certification, marking it as a sustainable addition to the state’s infrastructure.

Final preparations underway for market opening

With the Certificate of Completion and Compliance (CCC) expected by the end of October, the Seberang Perai City Council (MBSP) will oversee final preparations, including a ballot process to allocate stalls for existing vendors.

“MBSP requires approximately a month to conduct the ballot for the 239 existing hawkers here,” Chow added during his visit to the site.

Once operational, management and ownership of the public market will be transferred to MBSP, with the goal of providing a sustainable, accessible public space for local traders.

The addition of 24 unassigned trading spaces will also allow for new traders to join, contributing to Seberang Jaya’s vibrant marketplace.

State Executive Council member for Local Government and Town & Country Planning, Jason H’ng Mooi Lye, as well as Zubicon Development Sdn. Bhd. Director, Lim Beng Keong, were present during the inspection, showing a united front in support of the project’s success.

The Seberang Jaya public market represents more than just a marketplace; it stands as a community hub aimed at empowering local businesses and creating opportunities for small and medium enterprises.

“We envision this market as a community space that supports the growth of local businesses,” Chow noted.

With plans for further improvement based on feedback from hawkers, the market aims to become a pillar of community development in Seberang Jaya, setting a benchmark for sustainable and community-oriented infrastructure.

With the redevelopment nearing completion, the Seberang Jaya public market and hawker centre promises to be a bustling hub by December, offering enhanced facilities, more trading spaces, and convenient visitor amenities.

The community eagerly awaits this revitalised space, which will support local vendors and offer a sustainable, modernised public facility.

Source: Buletin Mutiara