By Karen Bong
KUCHING, Dec 13: Sibu needs people that are on the “same page” and are on the “same wavelength” in order to stay focused towards achieving its status as a city.
Reminding Sibu to stay united, Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg emphasised that Sibu needs a strong local team in as much as Sarawak needs a strong government to forge ahead with development towards 2030 and protect its rights as enshrined in the Constitution and Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63).
“The State government has approved a new building for Sibu Municipal Council (SMC) which will symbolise the unity of Sibu people and therefore can serve Sibu with all its strength and realise Sibu as another major city in Sarawak.
“Let us work together for the sake of the people in Sibu,” he said when launching the World Foochow Shi Yi Park and proposed extension of SJKC Dung Sang project held at a hotel in Sibu today.
Meanwhile, SMC chairman Clarence Ting revealed that the RM3.5 million World Foochow Shi Yi Community Park to be built at Jalan Gambir in Sibu would be implemented in collaboration between the Sibu Foochow Association and the Council.
“This park was initiated following a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed on Nov 25, 2020,” he said.
The park building’s architecture, with its concept design of a honeycomb and surrounded by green space, will become a new landmark and another popular tourism destination in Sibu.
It also marked the history of the Chinese-Foochow migration from China to Sibu and the community’s contributions to education, economy, culture and political development in the State.
Meanwhile, the extension project for SJKC Dung Sang costing RM6 million will involve the construction of a 19-classroom school block and multipurpose hall.
Ting said Abang Johari approved the one-for-one funding of RM3 million to the total cost of the construction.
“Today the school board of management wants to take this opportunity to thank our chief minister for his concern and care about Chinese schools in Sibu and throughout Sarawak. They are grateful that this government continues to fund Chinese education year after year.
“The State government also continues to fund private Chinese secondary schools and without hesitation recognised UEC certificates in Sarawak,” he added.
Assistant Minister of Education, Science and Technology Research Dr Annuar Rapaee, Deputy State Secretary Dato Sri Mohamad Abu Bakar Marzuki, Sibu Resident Wong Hie Sieng, Sibu Foochow Association chairman Ying Tian Cai and SJKC Dung Sang board of management director Ling Sieng Ing were among those present. — DayakDaily
