Public concern over RM10 mln to restore Karamunting Market - Borneo Post Online (2025)

SANDAKAN (April 26): The future of Karamunting Market at Bandar Nam Tung has become a contentious issue following questions raised by Sekong assemblyman Alias Sani in the Sabah State Legislative Assembly regarding the market’s actual status.

Community Development Leader for Karamunting, Datuk Chew Kok Woh, confirmed that funding and approval for the market’s restoration have been secured. However, he noted that since no Sandakan Municipal Council (MPS) members would be appointed until 22 April 2025, the repairs are being fully financed by the State Government.

“The State Government has shown its commitment to the people of Karamunting by allocating the necessary funds. However, we must ensure this investment truly benefits the community in the long term,” Chew said.

The controversy stems from a 2023 visit by former Minister of Local Government and Housing, Datuk Seri Panglima Masidi Manjun, who suggested that MPS consider relocating the market instead of investing millions in repairs.

Masidi pointed out that RM700,000 would already be needed just for a consultant engineer’s report, even before factoring in the substantial restoration costs.

In early 2024, MPS declared the Karamunting Market unsafe following several accidents and subsequently voted to close it, citing financial sustainability concerns. The market had become a drain on MPS resources due to rising maintenance and staffing costs.

“Maintaining Karamunting Market was becoming increasingly burdensome. It wasn’t generating sufficient revenue and was adding to MPS’s financial strain,” Chew explained.

To address the issue, MPS proposed relocating the vendors to Bandar Ramai-Ramai Market, which was deemed spacious enough to accommodate all existing vendors at a projected upgrade cost of between RM500,000 and RM800,000.

Nonetheless, Chew said the government has moved forward with infrastructure works around the old market site.

RM7.5 million has been earmarked for related improvements, including a new seawall, while an additional RM2.5 million from MPS is allocated for structural repairs and a facelift of the market itself, bringing the total project cost to RM10 million.

Construction is expected to begin in April 2025 and is estimated to take two years.

However, the announcement has sparked public concern over whether it is wise to spend RM10 million on a market that has been closed for over a year.

“Around 80 affected vendors have been left without a place to operate, with only 30 to 40 currently trading on private land in Tanah Merah without public facilities. Many have already relocated and rebuilt their businesses elsewhere,” he said.

“We must be realistic. After two or three years, will they return to Karamunting Market? That is something we need to seriously consider,” he stressed.

Chew opined that the RM10 million allocation could have been better spent on improving basic infrastructure in Karamunting, such as upgrading the water supply, maintaining drains, and enhancing sidewalks and street lighting along Cecily Road and near the MPS Flats.

“Infrastructure improvements would have had a more immediate and visible impact on the community’s daily life,” he said.