KUCHING (Nov 28): Kuching South City Council (MBKS) has completed the upgrading of market stools at Kenyalang Park Market, enhancing comfort, cleanliness and accessibility for market-goers.
The project involved dismantling and disposing of 728 old pedestal seats and installing new hot-dipped galvanised steel pedestals fitted with 380mm fibreglass seats.
Thirty priority seats with backrests were also introduced for senior citizens and users with mobility challenges.
Home to 227 stalls, including 47 food and beverage stalls, the market continues to serve thousands of residents daily.
Mayor Dato Wee Hong Seng, who officiated the handover ceremony on Thursday, said the upgrade was necessary after more than three decades of use since the market opened in 1993.
The RM105,640 project is part of the council's 'Love Your Market' initiative, supporting Kuching South's wider gastronomy efforts to strengthen market culture, preserve food heritage, and enhance customer experience.
"We observed that the old stools were worn, unstable, and difficult to maintain. These new stools are sturdier, more durable, and easier to keep clean.
"Although it seems like a simple improvement, the impact is significant," he said, noting that comfortable seating encourages customers to stay longer, return more often, and indirectly boosts hawkers' income.
Wee added that MBKS remains committed to making public markets and hawker centres more accessible and age-friendly, in line with its membership in the World Health Organization's Global Network for Age-Friendly Cities and Communities.
He encouraged hawkers and users to care for the new facilities and report any damage promptly.
"This handover reflects MBKS' commitment to building a clean, safe, healthy, and people-friendly Kuching South. Small but thoughtful improvements like this form the foundation for a vibrant and well-loved community market," he said.