MIRI, July 8: To mark its 13th year as a city, Miri will have a historical landmark that is similar to the ‘Hollywood’ billboard on a hill in Los Angeles.
In announcing this on Saturday, Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg said he had agreed to the mayor’s proposal to build a giant billboard overlooking the city at Canada Hill.
“Apart from this billboard, I want Miri to have a city hall so that the city council could have a more structured and better quality service centre in rendering services,” he said.
Describing Miri as a very well planned city, he said he believed Miri would continue to prosper.
“Tun Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud (now state governor) and former Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Dr George Chan Hong Nam have successfully turned Miri from a sleeping town into a vibrant, potentially dynamic and liveable place,” he said.
Using Marina Square as an example, Abang Johari described the initiative as a creative one.
“The landscape and views are beautiful,” he said.
Meanwhile, Miri mayor Adam Yii, in his speech, thanked the state government for its continued support to Miri City Council.
“We have constantly received support and assistance from the state government in various aspects of development, including infrastructure development. This is particularly so after Miri acquired its city status 13 years ago, on May 20, 2005,” Yii said.
He added that the special grant of RM10 million from the state government would enable the council to undertake various development projects, including the Green Community Hub, Miri Waterfront as well as upgrade Miri Handicraft Centre.
Also present at the celebration were Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, his assistant Datuk Lee Kim Shin, Local Government and Housing Minister Datuk Dr Sim Kui Hian, and Assistant Minister of Local Government Datu Dr Penguang Manggil.
At the event, two former Miri City Council mayors (formerly known as Miri Municipal Council chairman), namely Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Dr George Chan Hong Nam and Dato Wee Han Wen, were credited for their tremendous contributions towards the transformation of Miri City and Miri City Council.
Dr Chan was MMC chairman from November 1, 1981, to February 27, 1984. Wee joined Miri Municipal Council as a councillor in 1988 and was appointed its chairman in January 1993. — DayakDaily
