The local government development ministry plans to develop old public markets into tourism attractions by turning them into heritage markets.

Its minister Nga Kor Ming said the ministry was now identifying old dilapidated markets in order to preserve their structure and architecture.

“An example is the public market in Taiping which is now a national heritage building. The restoration work on the Taiping market is still in progress and will be completed next year with the 150th anniversary of the town. 

“It can be a tourist attraction,” he told reporters when met after his walkabout at Pasar Besar Ipoh in conjunction with the upcoming Chinese New Year festival.

Nga, who is Kepayang assemblyman, said he will visit some of the markets with the potential to be developed as heritage markets, including the public market in Bukit Mertajam, Penang, which was built in the mid-1960s.

During his visit today, Nga announced an allocation of RM1 million for the repair of Pasar Besar Ipoh, which was built in 1959.

“Repair work will begin this year and after that, we will plan the process to upgrade the market, turning it into an international standard market and a tourist attraction,” he added.

Meanwhile, at another event, Nga announced an allocation of RM1 million for the building of a temporary market to replace the existing dilapidated Pasir Pinji Market here.

“The construction of this market will include the installation of solar panels and a rainwater harvesting system,” he said.

The new market, to be built on a 0.5ha site, will accommodate 229 traders.

Construction of the market will start in six months and is scheduled for completion in a year, he added.