Group urges govt to make Borneo Market a tourism hub

THE government has been urged to turn Borneo Market into a tourism hub to promote the cultures of Sabah and Sarawak on the peninsula.

Seri Kembangan Borneo Market Traders Association president Nelson Entap Engin said the market has the potential to attract local and foreign tourists.

According to him, the government’s support is vital to make this a reality.

“For that purpose, this market needs to be improved with various infrastructure, especially toilets for the convenience of visitors,” he said.

Nelson said traders currently only offered site facilities and the operating hours are limited to every Saturday.

He said, the response received from traders who are keen to join the market is encouraging, therefore consideration needs to be made so that it can operate on a larger scale. 

“When we started in 2016, there were only 20 traders, but now we have 76 in total.

“We receive many applications but our problem is limited capacity. So we have to do some background checks on them. For example, they cannot sell the same food or products.”

“We made this condition because we want to have various food and products to ensure the uniqueness of the Borneo Market is maintained,” he said.

Nelson said that one of Borneo Market’s aims is to be a community centre for the children of Sarawakians and Sabahans who live on the peninsula.

“This market is also a business platform for them. We train them to do business because some do not have the experience and knowledge to market their respective products.

“For example, we used to have traders who sell Sarawak black pepper in this market. Now they have successfully penetrated overseas markets such as the United States,” he said.

Borneo Market operates every Saturday from 7am to 11am.

At Borneo Market, visitors can enjoy a variety of traditional foods such as kolok mi, kek lapis Sarawak, celorot, ayam pansuh, asam terung, umai, kuih cincin and penyaram or also known as Javanese cucur.

In addition to food, this market also offers exotic agricultural products as well as traditional handicraft from the two Borneo states. – June 24, 2024