Ting (centre) in a group photo with the SMC councillors and staff after launching the new cashless parking system. SIBU: The Sibu Municipal Council (SMC) multi-storey car park will go cashless starting today, said its chairman Clarence Ting Ing Horh. “Cashless parking payment started this morning, and we are here to ensure the smooth running of this new system. “It is easy to use and quick at the checkout point,” he said in his Facebook post today. He said the council will install more cashless parking payment systems in Sibu. To date, the SMC multi-storey car park located near Jalan Khoo Peng Loong is the first to use cashless parking payment in Sibu. It is usually used by visitors going to the Urban Transformation Centre (UTC) and Sibu Central Market.

Ting (centre) promotes cashless payments at the multistorey car park. At second right is SMC secretary Yong Ing Chu. – Photo from Facebook/Clarence Ting SIBU (Oct 4): Sibu Municipal Council (SMC) began using a cashless parking payment system at its multistorey car park today. SMC chairman Clarence Ting said the system will be introduced to more areas soon. “Cashless parking payment started this morning. We are here to ensure the smooth running of this new system. “It is easy to use and quick at checkout point. SMC will install more cashless parking payment throughout Sibu,” he said in a Facebook post. The SMC multistorey car park is part of the Sibu Central Market complex, which also houses the Urban Transformation Centre (UTC). Cashless payments can be made at the kiosk on level 1, by scanning the eWallet QR code, or waving an ATM or credit card at the exits. Separately, Ting also inspected the road and drain certification at Lorong 60 Tun Ahmad Zaidi Adruce today. He noted many issues which the developer needs to rectify before a subsequent inspection.

Wee (ninth left) and Izkandar (10th left) in a group photo with the others during the Malaysia Clean Up day event. SIBU: The Sibu Municipal Council (SMC) ‘Malaysia Clean-Up Day’ event held at Teku Community Hall in Jalan Kampung Bahagia Jaya here yesterday was intended to be a starting point in maintaining cleanliness of the environment. SMC deputy chairman, Cr Mohammed Abdullah Izkandar Roseley cited that cleanliness is not the responsibility of certain individuals, but a collective responsibility of all. He pointed out that community cooperation (gotong royong) spread the spirit of unity, and social responsibility among the communities. About 200 people attended the event organised by SMC in collaboration with Sibu District Office, Department of National Unity & National Integration Sibu Division as well as various Village Development and Security Committee (JKKK) and Neighborhood Neighbourhood Area (KRT).   Kapitan So (fourth left), Tiang (centre) with the organising committees gesturing thumbs-up for the event. “We gather not only to clean the surrounding area, but also to sow awareness about the importance of public hygiene among the communities. “This proves that the spirit of cooperation is intact among our communities in ensuring our environment is cleaner, healthier and more comfortable,” Izkandar added. The organising chairman, Cr Simon Wee Kim Choon said this nationwide event was initiated by the Ministry of Housing and Local Government. According to him, this event would secure a place in the Malaysia Book of Records as the biggest cleanliness event ever to be recorded in Malaysia, held in conjunction with United Nation’s World Clean-Up Day on Sept 20 every year. “We can play our part by firstly, planting trees to protect the environment. Secondly, be responsible in our consumption and production. Thirdly, carry out more recycling programmes like collections of recycleable items such as paper, plastic and aluminium. And lastly, create sustainable cities, towns and communities by promoting cycling, walking, or using public transportations. “I hope our JKKK, KRT, NGO and government agencies will organise more community cooperation programmes in future,” Wee added. Among those present were Kapitan So Teck Kee, Kapitan Thomas Tiang Nie Ping and representative from Sibu District Office, Morlina Morris.

Yiing (second right) and his team members inspecting the kitchen of the food premises. SIBU (Sept 27): Four food premises owners here have been issued warning letters by the Sibu Municipal Council (SMC) over hygiene violations. SMC’s Public Health and Environment Standing Committee Vice Chairman councillor Yiing Sy Huat said various violations related to food safety and hygiene were detected during the council’s inspection round here yesterday. “The offences include using old, broken kitchen equipment, not installing grease traps at the kitchen, poor toilet maintenance, and the failure to put up the ‘No Smoking’ notice,” he said. “We will not hesitate to take actions against these owners if they fail to improve in these areas and we will not compromise for these repeat offences,” he stressed. Also involved in the operation were SMC councillors Yii Suok Ming, Dr Johnny Kieh, and Norizan Sanyat.

Wee (seated, centre) and others in a group photo, taken after the press conference. SIBU (Sept 25): Sibu Municipal Council (SMC) will hold a ‘Malaysia Cleanup Day’ event at the Teku Community Hall, Jalan Kampung Bahagia Jaya here, this Sept 28. Speaking at a press conference yesterday, organising chairman Councillor Simon Wee said the event meant to commemorate World Cleanup Day, which falls on Sept 20 every year. “The council is expecting about 350 people to take part in the event, set to run from 7.30am until 11am. “Additionally, the Ministry of Public Health, Housing and Local Government Sarawak is targeting to break into the Malaysia Book of Records, for having the highest number of participation in such a programme. “Those from the village security and development committees (JKKKs), non-governmental organisations (NGOs), government offices and so forth are joining in the programme. “The event will feature ‘senam robik’ (aerobics exercise), ‘gotong-royong’ (work party) and a recycling programme held at the same venue. “For the recycling programme, we have a contractor on standby to collect all the recyclable items, including plastic bottles, computers, old newspapers, used cooking oil and more,” said Wee. Meanwhile, residents along Jalan Sentosa Phase 1 and Phase 2 are advised to send their recyclable items to Bukit Lima Basketball Court from now until this Sept 28. The site is open from 1pm to 4pm daily. SMC spokesperson Councillor Dr Johnny Kieh said the recycling programme was organised by the council alongside the KKKs of Bukit Lima, Belatok and Sentosa. The programme, he added, was being carried out in conjunction with the Malaysia Cleanup Day. “We will collect papers, plastic bottles, used cooking oils and so forth during the collection time. “I urge all residents there to send their recyclable items to the collection centre,” he said.