Taiping’s century-old wet market, popularly known as Siang Malam, will be conserved and not demolished.
The confirmation was made by the Taiping Municipal Council (MPT) as it said the nation’s oldest wet market was considered “high risk”. Works to refurbish and strengthen it must be carried out quickly.
A spokesperson from the local council also confirmed traders have been temporarily relocated to Dhoby Lines, 800m away.
The market, in the heart of the peaceful town, is made up of two buildings – the wet market (built in 1884) and the dry market (1885).
The market has also evolved into a dining area that is alive with activities day and night – hence its Siang Malam moniker.
“We will carry out conservation works as the structure is considered high risk. It is being supported by additional beams,” said MPT corporate, public affairs and tourism unit chief Hanim Ramly.
“We are not tearing the building down and have no intention to do so as it is a valuable asset. We also can’t simply renovate such buildings without the Heritage Department’s approval.”
Housing and Local Government Minister Zuraida Kamarudin last year revealed RM9 million would be allocated to “upgrade and modernise” the building. She gave an assurance the traditional design and wooden structure would remain to preserve its historical value.
Zuraida had said work would begin this year and would take two to three years to complete.
MPT’s engineering department would oversee the timeline of the conservation and refurbishing work.
Taiping is a heritage town housing 33 of the nation’s ‘firsts’. These include the railway station, town resthouse, clocktower and lake garden.
Here’s the round-up of The News Normal today.
1UTAMA DENIES HAVING 63 COVID-19 CASES
1Utama Shopping Centre’s management refuted a report by Petaling District Disaster Management Committee, stressing the mall does not have 63 Covid-19 cases and that it was “misleading to imply that all cases stated in their (Oct 14) report originated from 1Utama”.
The management added no index cases had been identified as coming from the mall.
https://www.facebook.com/1Utama/photos/a.404792191688/10157369462891689/
The Petaling District Office, meanwhile, revealed the Utama cluster had in fact risen to 105 cases involving 79 security personnel, 18 cleaners and eight tenants.
Selangor recorded 150 Covid-19 cases today.
CMCO TO BE ENFORCED IN LABUAN
The Conditional Movement Control Order (CMCO) will be enforced in Labuan starting Oct 17 to Oct 30.
The standard operating procedures (SOPs) are similar to that of the CMCO in Kuala Lumpur, Selangor and Putrajaya.
ANWAR TO MEET COPS TOMORROW
Police will record Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s statement tomorrow over the supposed list of MPs who support him to become prime minister.
Federal Criminal Investigations Department (CID) director Datuk Huzir Mohamed said 113 police reports were lodged against the PRK president over the claim.
WOMAN WHO CAUSED FATAL JB CRASH SENT TO PRISON, FINED
The woman who caused the death of a navy personnel in Johor Bahru last Saturday was sentenced by the Johor Bahru Magistrate’s Court to six years in prison and fined RM8,000 for driving under the influence of drugs.
The decision was made after the driver of the Perodua Myvi, Nur Fatin Nazrah Suhaimi, 23, pleaded guilty.
She was also fined RM2,800 for three other offences – not possessing a valid driving licence, driving a vehicle without a valid road tax and insurance.
NO REMEDY FOR COMMITTED NINCOMPOOPS
Primacy of race is unadulterated hogwash. That’s the least we can learn from the repulsive Nazi ideology.
Every Malaysian community’s achievements belong to Malaysia and the same should be said about the successes of vernacular schools, writes Zhi Yan.
