KUCHING: Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Dr Abang Johari Openg made a grand entrance at the Metrocity 2 N6 Youth Night Market on Saturday, turning heads and delighting visitors and vendors alike.
Arriving at approximately 8.45pm on a striking heavy motorcycle, the Premier was warmly welcomed by an enthusiastic crowd of night market-goers and VIPs. His unexpected visit created a buzz, with many eager to snap photos and catch a glimpse of the state leader.
Exploring the Vibrant Night Market
Before making his rounds, the Premier took photos with guests at the market’s entrance. He then proceeded to explore the bustling night market, which currently houses 435 vendors selling a variety of goods, from local delicacies to unique handmade crafts.
During his visit, he stopped by the N6 Dubon PBB Youth Counter, where he learned about ongoing initiatives such as the Sarawak Basic Needs Assistance Scheme (SKAS) and the S Pay Global services. Demonstrating his support for local businesses, he purchased several items from different vendors and sampled some of the delicious food prepared by the event organisers.
At around 9.40pm, after an engaging tour and interactions with vendors and visitors, the Premier concluded his visit and departed, leaving behind an air of excitement among those present.
Metrocity N6 Night Market: A Growing Attraction
Metrocity N6 Youth Night Market chairman Mohd Kairuz shared that the event has been highly anticipated since its establishment. He highlighted the market’s rapid growth, with visitor numbers reaching thousands each day.
“Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari was genuinely surprised by the sheer number of vendors and visitors. Initially, when we moved to this new site, we had around 5,000 visitors daily. On the last weekend before school reopened, attendance peaked at 8,000 visitors,” he revealed in an interview.
Despite the start of the school term, the night market continues to attract a steady crowd, with visitor numbers ranging from 2,000 to 8,000 between Wednesday and Saturday.
Notable Attendees
Also present at the event were Sarawak Premier’s Chief Political Secretary Datuk Fazluddin, Kuching South Deputy Mayor Datuk Zaidi Suhaili, and Sarawak Information Systems Sdn Bhd (SAINS) CEO Busil Thurman.
The Premier’s surprise visit not only boosted the morale of local vendors but also reinforced the significance of community-driven markets in Sarawak’s economic landscape. — EDISI UKAS
