Sungai rengit: After Nearly A Decade Of Operating At A Temporary Location, The Traders At Medan Selera Sungai Rengit hold optimistic hopes that the newly elected representative in the 16th Johor state election will address the ongoing infrastructure and security issues that have plagued them.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, the town of Sungai Rengit, strategically located in the Tanjung Surat state constituency, serves as a vital hub for residents and workers of the Pengerang Integrated Petroleum Complex (PIPC). However, the food court's inadequate facilities are impacting the comfort and operations of both traders and customers. Traders have been forced to conduct business under less favorable conditions since relocating from their original site to accommodate a development project. The new location near the temporary site has been described as less than ideal for running their businesses.
Beverage trader Lai Swee Hong, 56, expressed concerns over the new site's suitability, citing limited parking and its location on a one-way road as significant obstacles for traders and patrons. "If we continue to operate here, we hope that this temporary site will be upgraded because the location is more strategic and customers are also used to coming here," she stated.
Lai further explained that the traders were initially informed they would operate at the temporary site for only a year and a half. However, the move to a new location has been delayed indefinitely, leaving them in substandard conditions with minimal basic facilities. The stalls, constructed with canopy roofs and plywood walls, remain vulnerable to weather elements and crime.
Food trader Wini Fasiha Zawawi, 35, called for urgent attention to security after several thefts occurred at the food court since last year. Despite police patrols and reports to local authorities, theft incidents persist, impacting the livelihoods of small traders.
Beyond the traders, the fishing community in Sungai Rengit also seeks assurances that their welfare will be safeguarded. Fisherman Sin Hock Hwee, 65, emphasized the importance of maintaining and enhancing fuel subsidies to manage living and operating costs.
Hidayat Isa, 35, urged the elected representative to focus on upgrading jetty facilities and to listen to the concerns of the younger fishermen. He hopes for sustainable growth for the fishing community and recognition of Kampung Sungai Rengit as an adopted village by the next representative.
The Tanjung Surat state seat features a contest between Pakatan Harapan (PH) candidate Faizul Abdul Ghani and Barisan Nasional (BN) incumbent Aznan Tamin. The Johor state election involves 172 candidates vying for 56 state seats, with polling scheduled for July 11 and early voting on July 7.