KUCHING: The newly renovated Dayak Market (Pasar Dayak) at Penrissen Camp will enhance the comfort of traders and visitors while contributing to the overall well-being of the community.
Army Eastern Field Commander Lt-Gen Datuk Mohd Sofi Md Lepi, accompanied by his wife Datin Erni Irawati Rosli, officiated at the market’s opening today (Jan 18).
Expressing his commitment to improving the market’s facilities, Mohd Sofi emphasised the significance of creating employment opportunities for both military personnel families and the general public.
“The Dayak Market underwent extensive upgrades with a total cost of RM922,527. The project, initiated on Aug 24 last year, reached completion on Dec 15.
“It involved the replacement of the entire market structure, construction of new toilets, the establishment of efficient garbage collection, road upgrades, and the creation of parking areas and landscaping around the building,” he said in a press conference.
He added that the market offers a total of 68 stall lots for traders and can accommodate nearly 300 visitors simultaneously.
The traders, who mostly comprised families of military personnel and the public residing outside of the army camp were only required to pay for rental excluding utility bills.
Mohd Sofi pointed out that the revamped infrastructure aims to strengthen the bond between the community and the army.
Meanwhile, he shared that the maintenance allocation for the previous year was amounting to RM13,239,609.41.
This covered the maintenance of 367 units of Armed Forces Family Housing (RKAT) including repainting for 63 RKAT blocks, replacement of electricity and water meters for 1,041 RKAT units, 40 vehicle garages, two playgrounds, road maintenance and other related infrastructure maintenance.
“For this year, we have submitted a maintenance allocation request of RM54,844,356.16.
“If approved, the scope of work will include the maintenance of 732 RKAT units, including corrective measures, comprehensive maintenance, and the upgrade of G Class RKAT units from two rooms to three rooms and hybrids,” he said.
