KOTA KINABALU: City Hall (DBKK) has launched its Pesta Makan-Makan Jadi as part of efforts to revitalise the city’s night economy while creating income opportunities for young entrepreneurs.
Mayor Datuk Seri Sabin Samitah said the festival, being held in conjunction with the 26th anniversary of Kota Kinabalu City, is designed to draw residents and tourists back into the city centre through a safe, lively and family-friendly environment.
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“This is not just a food festival. It is about giving people, especially our youths, a platform to do business, earn extra income and build their future,” he told media during after launching the programme.
This year’s event features about 92 stalls divided into five themed zones — Western food, artisan products, viral food, fruits and a special youth zone, which has been introduced for the first time to allow young people to run their own stalls and connect with new customers and business partners.
Sabin said DBKK hopes to organise similar programmes up to twice a month, depending on suitability, so that more small traders can benefit from additional income while strengthening the city’s evening economy.
The festival is part of a wider line-up of activities marking Kota Kinabalu City’s anniversary celebrations, which also include a Strongman competition and a car show scheduled for Saturday.
Sabin said such events are aimed at restoring public confidence in the city centre as a clean, beautiful and safe place to visit, adding that a lively calendar of activities would encourage people to keep coming back.
Meanwhile, he said DBKK will introduce a digital application system for Ramadan bazaar lots this year to ensure a fair and transparent allocation process and to prevent cartels from monopolising the spaces.
“Each applicant will be tied to one identity card and one mobile number. If we find that someone is not actually running the stall themselves, the lot will be cancelled. We want genuine traders, not middlemen,” he said.
The application system is expected to open next week.
