SANDAKAN: Shopowners who cannot run their businesses themselves should lease their premises at affordable rates to attract entrepreneurs back to the area rather than leave them vacant.
Sandakan Municipal Council President Walter Kenson said rental rates can be reviewed and gradually increased once business picks up.
Over the next three years, MPS aims to develop Jalan Dua into a “Little Hong Kong” subject to strong support from shopowners and the local Chinese community to transform the town centre.
“Night markets were usually held at Bandar Kim Fung and Bandar Leetat, but Jalan Dua was chosen this time as part of efforts to draw the community back to the town centre,” he said, when launching the Night Market, recently.
He said the town centre, often dubbed a “zombie town” because of its quiet evenings, needs revitalisation through more night-time programmes and activities.
“This programme is not only to enliven Chinese New Year celebrations, but also to encourage local Chinese traders to return to the town centre, boosting economic and commercial activity in the area,” Walter said.
The night market at Jalan Dua will also gauge the community’s interest in trading at the location.
If the response is positive, MPS plans to gazette the area as the official site for night markets, to be held every weekend.
Walter also said MPS has implemented several initiatives since 2025 to restore the town centre’s image and function.
These include repainting old buildings, relocating the Early Morning Market to reduce congestion and improve cleanliness and order, clearing wild plants from buildings and back alleys, tackling issues of illegal immigrants, beggars and homeless people, as well as strengthening security and increasing street lighting.
Under the slogan “MPS Memudah Cara, Sandakan Terus Maju”, MPS has also introduced trader and investor-friendly policies, including faster and easier processing of business licence applications and renewals, Development Plan (DP) and Building Plan (BP) approvals, building renovation applications, and issuance of Certificates of Completion and Compliance (CCC).
Walter stressed that the success of these initiatives depends on the commitment and cooperation of all parties.
