Rep: Pines Square Market To Support Farmers, Traders In Batu Kawa

KUCHING (Oct 14): The upcoming Pines Square Market in Batu Kawa is expected to support local farmers and traders while giving residents convenient access to fresh produce and daily necessities, said Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian.

The Batu Kawa assemblyman said the market would feature a mini collection centre where farmers could bring their produce, particularly during periods of abundant harvests.

The facility would help farmers manage surplus produce, including items that could not be sold immediately or required further processing.

“The surrounding areas of Batu Kawa have great potential for vegetable cultivation and food production, given their proximity to Kuching,” he said when officiating at the market’s groundbreaking ceremony, here yesterday.

The market will accommodate 300 stalls, comprising 270 market stalls and 18 food court outlets, alongside a lock-up facility and the mini collection centre.

Dr Sim said the original plan was to provide 400 stalls, but the number was reduced to make way for adequate parking and the collection centre.

He said the market would eventually be handed over to Padawan Municipal Council (MPP) for management, with stall applications handled by the council.

Despite the growing availability of modern supermarkets, Dr Sim said wet markets remained important to Sarawakians as places to shop, eat and socialise.

“As Sarawak becomes more prosperous, we want to modernise our wet markets to meet the needs of our people while preserving our traditional values and way of life,” he said.

The RM15 million project, fully funded by Lee Onn Group, will occupy 3.43 acres of MPP-owned land and comprise a single-storey market with a floor area of 6,567 sq m.

It will provide 286 car parking spaces, exceeding the required 219, as well as 28 motorcycle parking spaces.

Sarawak Business Federation (SBF) president Datuk Jonathan Chai, speaking on behalf of Lee Onn Group, said the project reflected the group’s commitment to creating a more vibrant and liveable community through public-private partnership.

He said the group had been developing the approximately 265-acre site in late 2019, having completed 1,352 residential units and 395 commercial units to date.

Nearly 1,000 more residential units, along with 36 shoplots and 22 showrooms, are under construction or being prepared for development.

Chai added that the development also included a recently completed mall housing a supermarket and a home furnishing and household goods centre, alongside other commercial facilities.

Also present were Lee Onn Group chairman Dato Tan Guek Kee and MPP chairman Tan Kai.

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