Kota Kinabalu Market is A Tourist Place

Last Saturday morning I have the chance of walking about in the premise of market of Kota Kinabalu. The market comprises of fish monger section, fruits and vegetables, dried good and handicraft within the building or in the open area has become a tourist attraction area. The market is opened 24 hours in which night time will see stalls selling household, personal, souvenirs and food items. Many outsiders coming to Kota Kinabalu consider visiting the market is a must. When we talked about a market place, first thing comes to our mind is it must be a dirty, wet, untidy and smeary place that only those who are in need will go. Housewife or restaurant owners will usually go there to source for daily consumption. Then if we are told about the long hour of operation, we will then form up our perception that it must be worse than the normal market place as no time is permitted for cleaning and washing.

It proved me wrong during my round in the market. Walking within in the market area here is a pleasant and enjoyable experience, although you might feel a little bit humidity and hot. I do not have the experience of dirtiness, smear and untidy. Although the fish monger section is having a wet floor, nonetheless the floor is very tidy without obstruction and no untoward smear. The open area in which fishermen displaying their catch have no pothole filled up with dirty water. The sundry stalls are arranged nicely and presentable for a pleasure marketing. Although the section with handicraft and souvenirs is a bit noisy, it is understood as the tourists are doing their bargaining for better price. You will not believe that value for money is always at the end of the day. Perhaps it is because Tourist First concept and fulfilling the objective of Kota Kinabalu City Hall in making this city a premium tourist city.

I wonder why can't the markets in other part of Malaysia have the same environment? I cannot avoid from comparing the market in Old Town of Petaling Jaya with this one. While the Old Town Market has only one morning session for trading, the untidiness and dirtiness remain and last forever. Perhaps one of the reason I can think of is the commitment of the stakeholders. The sense of belonging to keep clean and tidy is not the order of the day for hawkers, market supervisors, the customers, the cleaning contractors and even the officers overlooking the management of the market. Of course, if politically permitted, something drastic is urgently required. We must have the gut of making changes. These include terminating the license of irresponsible traders and contractors, strict enforcement towards customers and even those officers involve in the management and maintenance should be held responsible for any identified shortcoming. Until then, I am not sure the image of wet market now can be changed. Of course competition posed by hypermarkets and modern market will displace the wet market if nothing is done now.