BELAIT

KAMPUNG Merangking in Belait district revived its village market yesterday along a small stretch of road on Jln Merangking after an eight year absence.

The market houses 12 sellers and is scheduled to run on the second Sunday of every month, selling primarily handicrafts, cooked food and fresh produce.

“We are proud to say that all the produce here is a 100 per cent home grown in Merangking,” said Pulong Sambag of Merangking's Village Consultative Council (MPK).

Umbut, the edible centre of a palm's stem, and Kulat or fungus are two of the market's more unique offerings, which Pulong encourages Bruneians to try.

“A lot of our products sold here are our household staples, but are rarely tasted outside most rural villages in Brunei,” he said.

The market, which was only planned for a month ago, is rent-free, with sellers only required to bring their own tents and tables to set up.

Merangking's previous market opened in 1995, but frequent flooding prevented the tamu from becoming popular, with the MPK eventually shutting it down in 2007.

“In hindsight, the previous location was not suitable as it was located near a bridge, and the river under heavy rain would always overflow and flood the stalls' grounds,” he added.

MPK Merangking is also working with the Belait District Office to have more stable booths to sell from in the near future. They also envision the market having close to 20 vendors.

“For Bruneians, both living in the more rural areas as well closer to Bandar (Brunei-Muara), the presence of a tamu is something that is closely tied with our culture,” said Pulong.

“It gives the agricultural side of the village a medium for sales, and enlivens the overall community atmosphere of the Kampung.”

Kg Merangking's new market is accessible through entering Jln Merangking from Jln Labi. It is situated near Spg 1366 of Kg Merangking Hilir.

The Brunei Times