PETALING JAYA: The local government development ministry has approved an additional RM11.5 million to upgrade the Taiping market along Jalan Taming Sari, the oldest in the country.
Its minister, Nga Kor Ming, said discussions would be held with the national heritage department to ensure that the 139-year-old market structure is maintained with its existing design and original features.
He said the 115 balau timber pillars of the market structure had been severely damaged by termites.
Recently, it was reported that the buildings at the market had been dismantled as part of its restoration process, causing much concern among residents.
Nga said the Taiping market would have three components – the Day and Night Arcade, the Old Market, and the New Market – covering 2,229 sq m.
He said it was expected to be fully completed in August next year.
“The Taiping market is Malaysia’s first market. It has national heritage status and, therefore, all the components of its structural repair and renovation must adhere to its historic features, as required by the National Heritage Act,” he told reporters after inspecting the market, Bernama reported.
In 2019, then housing and local government minister Zuraida Kamaruddin said the government had allocated RM9 million to renovate the market, which housed 212 business lots on an area measuring 0.4ha.
Nga said RM22 million had also been allocated for 39 upgrading projects of infrastructure and development facilities in the Taiping district.
The allocations included RM250,000 to repair the Aulong market, upgrading of four Bukit Larut Rest House bungalows costing RM820,000, and the Taiping Heritage Square upgrade costing RM500,000.
He said his ministry had also approved 26 projects at Kampung Baru Cina in the Larut, Matang and Selama districts, worth RM4.15 million, to repair and upgrade public facilities such as roads, concrete drains, playgrounds and fences.
“Every sen spent should benefit the people. There must be no wastage, leakage or extravagance,” he said.
He said the local government department had approved allocations totalling RM51.5 million for the 15 local authorities in Perak as of July. - FMT
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