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Kota Kinabalu: Local traders in Inanam and Manggatal are calling for greater priority in the allocation of trading lots at the two tamu markets, according to Inanam Community Development Leader Unit (UPPM) chief Nickho Unui.

Nickho said concerns were raised during discussions with the Manggatal Weekly Tamu, Night Market and Local Traders Association and Sepanggar Entrepreneurs Association, with traders claiming they were being sidelined by an increasing number of traders from outside the two areas.

He said feedback from the associations indicated that more than 60 per cent of traders at the Inanam and Manggatal tamu markets were from outside the localities, prompting calls for a review of trader allocation.

Nickho said Inanam UPPM would conduct a registration and data collection exercise to determine the number of local and non-local traders before raising the matter with Kota Kinabalu City Hall, adding that the aspiration was for at least 70 per cent of traders at both tamu markets to be local residents.

He said UPPM would also discuss possible improvements to trader allocation policies with the City Hall (DBKK), consider fixed operating days for the Inanam and Manggatal tamu markets, and investigate complaints regarding the sale of grocery items believed to be close to or past their expiry dates.