KOTA KINABALU: Business is brisk for traders at the Gaya Street Sunday Market here, thanks to a continuous stream of tourists and visitors thronging the famed and popular bazaar.
Products fly off display tables as traders of various backgrounds loudly engage with market-goers, and negotiate prices.
Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) president Datuk Teo Chee Kang has described business activity at Gaya Street as very promising, especially in the lead-up to the Chinese New Year celebration.
"The (Sunday market) is very lively. I have talked to the traders and most of them told me that their business performance this year is better compared to last year.
"This is very much in line with the Year of the Dog, because the Tionghua community believes that the Dog in the Chinese zodiac brings 'ong' (luck)," he told reporters when met here today.
The Sabah Special Task Minister was having a walkabout at the bazaar, accompanied by party members, to greet the people in conjunction with the festive season.
Teo said the market is a gauge of Sabah’s strong economy, and coupled with political stability, the state – and the country in general – will be able to maintain and accelerate economic growth in the years to come.
"The economic growth rate at the moment is very encouraging and overall, Malaysia's economy grew at a faster pace of between 5.5 per cent and 6 per cent (in 2017).
"The price of crude palm oil has also stabilised and increased to US$60 (per barrel), as compared to US$40 last year.
"This is a good sign, and with that, we believe that federal and state revenues will surge and strengthen," Teo added.
During the walkabout, Teo handed over 2018 party calendars to traders and visitors at the bazaar.
He also greeted leaders and members from Sabah Gerakan, Parti Warisan Sabah and Sabah DAP who were also conducting walkabouts in conjunction with Chinese New Year.