Segamat.com

From NST Online 8th Feb 2012
By AHMAD ISMAIL SEGAMAT

THE Segamat District Council has taken the initiative to revive a flea market in Jalan Omar, near here, which used to be very popular in the 1950s.

The market has already started operations on Jan 15 and already the response from traders and public has been encouraging.

Just like in the old days, traders lay their products on a mat to conduct their trade. The products available at the flea market range from shoes, clothes, bicycles to keris, swords and parangs.

Council president Ismail Abu said the idea to have the flea market came about after a study was conducted on the impact of day trading.

Ismail said about 50 lots have been taken up by the flea market traders, which comprise mainly youths.

"The main objective of the flea market was to provide a platform for residents here to have some weekend activities.

"We want to encourage residents, especially youths, to inculcate the spirit of entrepreneurship.

He said Jalan Omar was chosen as the site for the flea market as Dataran Segamat, located in front of the site, has ample parking space.

Ismail said that to prevent rivalry between traders and also due to the cleanliness factor, the local council does not permit the selling of products normally found in wet markets.

"Cooking is also disallowed in the flea market.

"We only encourage items which are unique and products which are rarely found in other places so as to give the flea market its own distinct identity.

"Currently, we charge each trader RM10 for setting up their businesses here and we hope these traders will not make profit a priority.

"To encourage more visitors to the flea market, we have put up a giant screen showing sporting events such as soccer and badminton," Ismail said.

The flea market operates from 8pm to 2am on weekends.