Sabah and Sarawak communities in Johor hope for improved facilities and business support at Pasar Borneo ahead of the state election.
PASIR GUDANG: Having served as a community gathering point for the people of Sabah and Sarawak in Johor for nearly two decades, Pasar Borneo in Taman Megah Ria here is now hoping for a fresh lease of life through improved facilities and assistance for small traders, to ensure the community hub continues to thrive.
Sarawak Community Association of Johor Bahru chairman Jonathan Anak George Jantai, 53, said the market, established in 2007, serves not only as a marketplace but also as a meeting point for the Bornean community living in Johor.
He estimated that about 30,000 Sarawakians live in Johor, with the combined Sabah and Sarawak community in the state numbering between 40,000 and 50,000 people.
“Every week, members of the Bornean community come here to buy traditional food and catch up with friends. That’s why the facilities here need to be upgraded to make the market more comfortable,” he told Bernama today.
Jonathan said among the most pressing needs are public toilets, better ventilation and improvements to the building, which tends to become uncomfortably hot.
“If possible, the building should be upgraded to make it cooler and more comfortable. Public toilets should also be provided because visitors currently do not have any toilet facilities,” he said.
He added that better facilities would not only improve visitors’ comfort but also attract more customers and create opportunities for more entrepreneurs to operate at the market.
Sarawak traditional kuih trader Margaret Anak Tanjong, 45, who is from Kapit and has lived in Johor for decades, hopes the market will be promoted more widely to attract visitors from all communities.
Margaret, who has been selling traditional delicacies such as ‘penjaram’ and ‘pulut panggang’ for the past six years, said stronger promotion would help increase visitor numbers and improve traders’ income.
“This market is not just for people from Sabah and Sarawak. Many visitors from other communities come here looking for traditional Bornean food. With better promotion, I’m sure even more people will come,” she said.
Sarawak Hawkers Association of Johor (PPASJ) chairman Josephine Anak Jimbai, 54, hopes the next Johor state government will pay greater attention to the needs of small traders by upgrading basic facilities, providing more parking spaces and offering business assistance.
Josephine, who has been trading in the area for nearly 25 years, said many small businesses are still recovering from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Business was badly affected after COVID-19. We hope the government can provide some incentives or financial assistance to help us expand our businesses,” she said.
She added that attracting more young entrepreneurs to traditional markets would require fresh approaches, as many now prefer to run businesses online.
Meanwhile, Pakatan Harapan (PH) candidate for the Permas seat, Sharon Teo Siew Hui, pledged to push for upgrades to Pasar Borneo if elected.
She said discussions with traders and visitors highlighted several basic shortcomings, particularly the lack of public toilets.
“One of the main issues raised is that the market does not have any toilets. That is a basic facility that should be available. At the moment, visitors have to use the toilets in neighbouring buildings and pay,” she said.
Teo said she welcomed the proposals put forward and would raise the matter with the relevant authorities to find the best solution.
Permas will see a four-cornered contest involving Teo, BN’s Baharudin Mohamed Taib, Perikatan Nasional’s (PN) T. Vela and Parti Bersama Malaysia’s Dr Zamil Najwah.
Polling is on July 11, with early voting on July 7.
