By Lian Cheng
SIBU, Nov 23: Sibu will undergo an urbanisation renewal programme, where Sibu Jaya will become the new hub linking the city to the food basket belt stretching from Bintangor to Sarikei.
Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg said all major towns in Sarawak including Sibu will undergo an urban renewal plan to be turned into smart cities.
“We will need a lot of investment to renew Sibu, but don’t worry, we will get the fund to rebuild Sibu,” he said when launching Azman Hashim Community Sports Centre in Sibu Jaya township here today.
He said the Sarawak government is now building a new road to link Sibu Jaya (which is also linked to the Pan Borneo Highway) to the Lanang Road, which will lead directly to Sibu town.
“Sibu Jaya will be well linked with the road we are constructing. That means Sibu Jaya will have better connectivity and Sibu Jaya will become a hub in this part of Sibu, as it is located near the Sibu Airport,” he said.
On the development of food basket in the centre region, Abang Johari said an Agro Park will be built in the food basket belt where the government will encourage farmers to carry out modern farming using IoT (Internet of Things).
While building of modern facilities are being stored for the food basket, road connectivity including the building of bridges to link the Coastal Road is also being implemented.
He said the future of Sibu Jaya as a hub for the central region will be bright as food produced in the food basket area will need to pass by it.
“That is to say, when all these are developed, Sibu including Sibu Jaya will be well connected to both the Pan Borneo Highway and to the Coastal Road via Sarikei.
“Perhaps, as here (Sibu Jaya) is not far from the (Sibu) airport, we will export (the produce from the food basket) through the Sibu Airport,” he reiterated.
Citing Singapore’s great demand on food such as Tilapia fish, terung assam and midin and the fact that Sarawak government has set up a Trade and Tourism Office (STATOS) in Robinson Road, Singapore, Abang Johari said Sibu and Sibu Jaya has a bright future.
On the rearing on Tilapia fish, the chief minister said the successful fish culture attempt will be also extended to Bakun and Murum HEP lakes besides Batang Ai to increase production. — DayakDaily
