By Wendy John
SIBU, Jan 1: Close to 5,000 people thronged the town square at Countdown 2020 on Tuesday night to usher in the new year with spectacular display of firework.
The good weather made it a night of fun as those turning out were entertained with a myriad of songs and dances at the countdown organised by Sibu Municipal Council.
SMC chairman Clarence Ting, who spoke at his first countdown since taking over the helm in September 2019, proudly highlighted his two-year plan towards making Sibu clean, beautiful, safe and vibrant in order for it to be more inviting to future residents.
He said unity among the people of different religions, races and background would be a key component in realising this vision.
“An immense sense of tolerance and commitment to social development is
vital to transform the community become stronger by sharing the existing resources as to avoid concept of individualism and self-interest,” he said.
Ting said as the residents rightly expected to be consulted on the decision-making process, it was incumbent on the council to listen, act and deliver on the basic things that matter most to them.
This included roads maintenance, collection of assessment rates and other municipal services.
On a clean Sibu, he emphasised that it will initiate different approaches to tackle the environmental issue pertaining to climate change and global warming.
“Therefore, Say-No to Plastic Bag, Say No to Plastic Straw and introducing home composting will be those on-going campaigns under environmental policies and programs,” he said, adding that the council will continue to support any form of recycling and especially minimising food waste.
As for a beautiful Sibu, SMC will transform Bukit Lima Forest Reserve, upgrade Permai Lake Garden and continuing with Taman Jubli Bukit Aup huge development.
For a safe Sibu, Ting assured that the council would continue to upgrade the drainage system within residential, commercial and industrial area to prevent flash flood from happening.
“On top of that the council will enhance the town safety surveillance of our hawker centres, parks, multi-storey carpark, and central business district area by increasing the number of CCTV under the 12th Malaysia Plan,” he said.
Touching on a vibrant Sibu, he said a Resident Councilorship System (RCS) will be launched this year for it to embark on more community-building activities so as to encourage multi-level communication with the residents. —DayakDaily
