Jom Jelajah Koperasi, Kelantan, 28 June 2014

Day 3, 28 June 2014

On the last day of the Let’s Explore Cooperative Kelantan program (Jom Jelajah Koperasi Kelantan), I was taken to the legendary Pasar Siti Khadijah where the Koperasi Peniaga Peniaga Pasar Siti Khadijah Kota Bahru Berhad operates at No 323 - 324, 2^nd Floor, Pasar Siti Khadijah, 15000, Kota Bharu, Kelantan. Its main objective is to amalgamate the business entities at the Pasar Besar Siti Khadijah.

Originally called Pasar Besar Buluh Kubu, the formerly Chief Minister Dato Nik Abdul Aziz Bin Nik Mat renamed it Pasar Besar Siti Khadijah in honor of Prophet Muhammad’s wife, Siti Khadijah, an eminent businesswoman herself. It is interesting to note that majority of the entrepreneurs are women and business will cease for 15 minutes for each prayer to enable the traders and Muslim visitors to pray. Opening hours is from 6.00am to 7.00pm daily except Eid Mubarak. Friday is not a good day to visit Pasar Besar Siti Khadijah as most of the shops are open after the Friday prayer.

The colours of Pasar Besar Siti Khadijah

This Central Market (Pasar Besar) is a two storey building. Certain part of the ground floor is specifically for wet items such as fish, vegetable, chicken etc. Another section of the ground floor is reserved for food items such as fruits, meat floss (serunding), fish cracker (keropok kering) and its traditional desserts such as tahi itik, akok, jala mas, buah tanjung, serabe, tepung pelita. There are also some stores that sell basic kitchen needs such as varieties of rice etc. A small section of the 1^st floor is a food court that sells ayam percik, ikan percik, nasi kerabu, nasi berlauk, nasi dagang, laksam and somtam. The remaining area is for pots, pans, brass, souvenir etc. The 2^nd floor is for clothing such as batik, silver-threaded fabric (songket), head scarf (tudung), fabrics (kain ela), sarong (kain sarung), man sarong (kain pelikat), prayer attire (kain telekung), blouse, tee-shirt, handicrafts, handbags, shoes, etc    

Ground floor at Pasar Besar Siti Khadijah

Ground floor at Pasar Besar Siti Khadijah

Food court on 1st floor at Pasar Besar Siti Khadijah

2nd floor at Pasar Besar Siti Khadijah

The Koperasi Peniaga Peniaga Pasar Siti Khadijah Kota Bharu Berhad also manages the Cocity Inn and Coop Market. Both properties are located at PT302, Jalan Darul Naim, Kota Bahru. Tel: 09-741 3100 / 3103. Azman 013-900 0232, Borhan 013-423 4173 

Cocity Inn & Coop Mart

Triple sharing room at Cocity Inn

Quad sharing at Cocity Inn

Room facilities at Cocity Inn

Throughout the Jom Jelajah Koperasi Kelantan, I stayed at MGU Firdaus Hotel managed by Koperasi Majlis Guru Guru Ugama Menengah Kelantan Berhad situated at Wisma MGU, Jalan Ping Pong, Kota Bahru, Kelantan. Tel: 09-748 8548. 09-743 1752, 013-968 3442 The location of this budget hotel is walking distance to the well-known Pasar Besat Siti Khadijah, Mydin Store, Pantai Timur Store, Maybank and CIMB.  

MGU Firdaus Hotel at Jalan Ping Pong

The three room categories and its school holiday room rate are Standard Double at RM 70.00, Standard Twin at RM 80.00, Deluxe Double at RM 95.00, Deluxe Twin at RM 105.00 and Family at RM 135.00. The room rates are inclusive for breakfast at Firdaus Café on the 3^rd floor, Room facilities are air-conditioning, attached bathroom, cupboard and television. However there is only one ironing board for each floor. There are 2 dormitories that can accommodate 20 persons each are priced at RM 350.00. The dormitory is air-conditioned and has attached bathroom, television, drying area and ironing board.  

Besides the scheduled program, I really took advantage of the free time to explore Kota Bharu city with my relatives and friends. This Kelantan trip has been an eye opener. Thank you Gaya Travel Magazine!!! Thank you Malaysia Co-operative Societies Commission (SKM - Securiti Koperasi Malaysia)!!!

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