By William Isau
SIBU, March 12: The Sibu Municipal Council (SMC) announced that by 2023, the council would no longer issue physical copies of assessment rate bills.
Its chairman Clarence Ting said this is part of the council’s initiative to embrace digital technology during today’s opening of the Borneo Digitech Forum 2022.
“This year, we have launched the online payment method for assessment rates. By 2023, ratepayers will have to pay it online as we will stop sending physical bills,” he said.
Ting said in the future, the council would also like to see those applying for hawker and coffee shop licenses to do it online instead of coming to the council.
He explained that he wanted the people to adapt to utilising cashless payments as part of the new norm in this digital economy.
“The State government has approved to transform Sibu into a smart city. I urge the people to adapt or risk being left behind,” he advised.
However, he expressed regret for the slow internet speed, which is vital to Sibu being transformed into a smart city.
“I hope the authorities will help us improve the internet connectivity,” he said.
On the forum, which was organised by the Sarawak Digital Media E-platform Association, about 36 participants from various industries took part in it. — DayakDaily
