SARIKEI: The Sarikei District Council (SDC) was not aware that the Sarikei Wholesale Centre located at the Rejang Port Authority (RPA) premises had been operating as a supermarket, SDC chairman Chan Kam Wuai said.

CHAN KAM WUAI

The ultimate purpose of the wholesale centre, more popularly known as Pasar Borong to locals, was to help local farmers and fishermen market their products, he said.

“Right from the planning stage till the realisation of the project, the council had never decided to change its (Pasar Borong) purpose,” Chan stressed during a press conference at his office recently.

However, when they carried out an inspection following public complaint, they were shocked to find out that the entire premise had been turned into a supermarket.

According to Chan, although the management of the centre had been awarded to a contractor, the council had clearly stated in the contract that the centre was strictly for carrying out wholesale of agriculture and marine products.

Besides local products, wholesale of imported vegetables and marine products was also allowed at the centre which was equipped with cold storage facilities, he added.

Stressing that the council would not tolerate any breach of contract by its contractors, he said appropriate action would be taken against those concerned.

“I have instructed my staff to send a letter to give the contractor a period of two months effective last Thursday to stop the unauthorised activity.

“That means the unauthorised activity must stop by July 28,” he said.