Kota Bharu: The Kelantan government is planning to ease traffic congestion around Pasar Siti Khadijah by providing additional parking at a nearby shopping centre, said state executive councillor for Local Government, Housing, Health and Environment, Hilmi Abdullah. ‘The Kota Bharu Municipal Council – Islamic City has initiated talks with Parkson to take over its basement parking,’ he said during the legislative assembly sitting at Kompleks Kota Darulnaim today.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, he was responding to a question from Dr Hafidzah Mustakim (PH-Kota Lama), regarding the state’s plans to review traffic flow in central Kota Bharu, particularly around the Siti Khadijah market and Jalan Sultanah Zainab. ‘As a short-term measure, we encourage carpooling during peak hours to help ease congestion in the area. One of the contributing factors to the problem is motorists who stop and wait while making purchases,’ he added.

In October 2024, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim announced an additional RM5.5 million allocation to upgrade the infrastructure at Pasar Siti Khadijah, such as sanitation, toilets, roofing, and electrical wiring, bringing the total federal funding approved since last year to RM7 million.