Augustine (second from right) witnessing the presentation of karaoke competition prizes at the bazaar.
AS THEY mark Hari Gawai, the Dayak community has another reason to celebrate – they will finally have their very own food court.
The Sibu Dayak Food Court (SDFC) will be set up at Permai Lake Garden (Taman Tasik Permai) to replace the annual food bazaar here.
Sibu Municipal Council (SMC) councillor Augustine Merikan said, “At the full board meeting, Dayak councillors and I submitted a proposal to change the Taman Tasik Permai Food Court to SDFC.
“The council agreed and approved an allocation of RM600,000 to make the appropriate modifications for SDFC.” He said this at the close of the Sibu Dayak Gawai Bazaar (SGDB) 2023.
Augustine is also deputy chairman of the standing committee for markets and petty traders.
He said Taman Selera Harmoni had mainly Muslim hawkers, Medan Selera Muhibah comprised mostly Chinese traders while Medan Selera Jaya Li Hua houses traders from multi races.
“Now, Dayaks can be proud to have their own food court. “Our requests have finally been approved,” said Augustine, who is also SGDB 2023 organising committee chairman.
He added that the food court would increase hawkers’ income and boost the local economy.
The nine-day bazaar had 29 stalls selling food, drinks and handicraft products.
