SANDAKAN: The Sandakan Municipal Council (MPS) has ramped up monitoring efforts at Ramadan bazaars to ensure food safety and strict compliance with health regulations.
The Market, Tamu and Hawkers Committee conducted an inspection recently covering six locations from Mile 8 to the coastal highway area. The team comprised of Councillors Robert Chong Thien Ming, Liew Kian Vun, Mohd Ali and Sabrina Fung with MPS Market Unit officials.
The surprise checks focused on three key areas: vendor adherence to health requirements, the cleanliness and operational condition of stalls, and the consistency of pricing across different sellers.
According to Chong, the overall state of the stalls was satisfactory, though there is room for improvement. He highlighted that the Ministry of Health (KKM) is also conducting independent inspections to monitor food handling practices.
“We want to ensure that all food sold to the public is safe for consumption. Preventing food poisoning is a major concern for us during this period,” Chong said to reporters.
MPS has enforced strict regulations from the outset of the bazaar season. Vendors found violating the rules face penalties ranging from fines to the suspension or revocation of their operating licenses.
The MPS committee assured the public that monitoring operations would continue throughout Ramadan to uphold food safety standards. – James Leong
Robert Chong (2nd right), and other members of the MPS inspection team at the Mile 8 Ramadan bazaar.
