PUBLIC markets and hawker centres in Penang have shown vast improvement in cleanliness, according to state State Local Government, Housing, Town and Planning Committee chairman Jagdeep Singh Deo
He said at the beginning of the year, out of the 58 public markets and hawker centres under the Penang Island City Council (MBPP), three were graded A, 52 graded B and three graded C.
“Now, 55 of them (public markets and hawker centres) are graded A and B and two graded C. This shows an increase of 32 percent in terms of better grades.
“For the Seberang Perai City Council (MBSP), it has now eight public markets graded A, 21 graded B and one graded C. This is an increase of 13.32 percent of better grades.
“For the hawkers centres, eight have been graded B, four graded B and four graded C. It means a nine percent increase on their grading,” he told a press conference on Dec 7.
Also present were Jelutong MP RSN Rayer and MBPP councillor Nicholas Theng.
He also said the status of cleanliness of all the public facilities under the local authorities would be monitored continuously.
“This will be my priority for the coming new year, and if possible I want all the state amenities to be graded A.
“I also would like to suggest for the councillors to follow the officers from the local authorities when they are conducting inspections at the premises (grading) ,” he added.
Jagdeep, who is also the Datok Keramat assemblyman, said the Kuantan Road Market has been repainted at a cost of RM20,000 which was borne by MBPP.
Prior to the press conference, Jagdeep distributed calendars to the traders at the Kuantan Road Market.
Story by Tanushalini Moroter