SIBU: The Sibu Municipal Council (SMC) has officially launched the Child-Friendly Cities Initiative (CFCI) today (Aug 16), as part of its ongoing commitment to fostering a safe, inclusive, and supportive environment for children. According to CFCI committee chairman, Cr Kiing Teck Ho, this initiative aligns with its vision to ensure that every child’s rights are respected, their voices are heard, and their well-being prioritised. “CFCI is a global movement led by UNICEF, which encourages cities and local governments to actively engage in creating communities where the needs of children are met. “The role of local governments is pivotal in this initiative, as they are closest to the people and can directly influence the quality of life for children. Through CFCI, the SMC will work collaboratively with various stakeholders to implement policies and programmes that ensure children’s rights to education, health, safety, and participation are upheld,” he said at a press conference held at SMC’s premises yesterday. In conjunction with the implementation of CFCI, Kiing stated that SMC is collaborating with Sibu Rural District Council (SRDC) for the recruitment of the Child Council. He said this Child Council would serve as a platform for children to voice their opinions, contribute to decision-making processes, and actively participate in initiatives that affect their lives.   The Child Council poster invites interested candidates aged between 13-16 years old to apply and become its members. One of the key roles of the Child Council, is to provide input on the design and improvement of public facilities, including gardens, parks, playgrounds, toilets, and hand-wash basins. “Additionally, SMC is committed to ensuring that all public facilities are inclusive and accessible to everyone, including individuals with disabilities. The Child Council will be encouraged to consider the needs of disabled people when giving their recommendations, ensuring that our community facilities are designed with accessibility and inclusivity in mind. “We invite all interested candidates aged between 13-16 years old to apply for a position on the Child Council. The application process will involve an interview, after which successful candidates will be selected. “The official swearing-in ceremony for the newly appointed Child Council members will be scheduled once the interview process is complete. The date of the ceremony will be announced in due course,” Kiing stated. SMC is committed to making Sibu a model Child-Friendly City, where every child is valued, their rights are respected, and their voices are heard, Kiing said, adding SMC is looking forward to the active participation of the community in this initiative. To encourage this initiative, he said, the Council will organise various cultural programmes that not only celebrate Sarawak’s rich diversity but also instill in children the importance of harmony and peaceful coexistence. According to Kiing, these programmes will include traditional dance workshops offering children the opportunity to learn and perform traditional dances from different ethnic groups; cultural storytelling sessions to share folktales and historical stories and heritage craft workshops to teach children traditional crafts such as weaving, batik painting, and pottery, all of these which are integral to our local culture. Also present at the press conference was SRDC secretary, Ng Siang Wei.

Miss BDCF 2024 finalists (from left) Angelina, Sylviana, Hermina, Felisia, Natasha, Kartina, Arabella and Clarissa. EIGHT contestants including three rookies are competing in the finals of Miss Borneo Dayak Cultural Festival (BDCF) 2024. The competition, held in conjunction with the 10-day Borneo Cultural Festival (BCF) which kicked off on Aug 8, will take place at the main stage of Tun Tuanku Bujang Square in Sibu, Sarawak, tonight. The eight finalists were whittled down by judges Sibu councillor Augustine Merikan, Datuk Alice Jawan Empaling and Adina Sana from 16 aspirants during a preliminary round. The competition is open to single Dayak women aged 18 to 30, with a minimum height of 157.48cm. The eight who made the cut are Angelina Rani Gawan, Sylviana Rinya Galing, Hermina Anthony, Felisia Jeffery, Natasha Malviana Nyandang, Kartina Bagan, Arabella Sunta Langkan and Clarissa Rinya Setian. Five of the eight finalists have previous pageant experience or have won other competitions. Kanowit lass Hermina was crowned Kumang (winner) at the Pekit Kumang Siol Kandis 2024 beauty pageant in Kuching in May. Clarissa won the 2024 Durin Cultural Carnival Kumang contest on April 28. Angelina took third place at BDCF 2023 with Kartina and Sylviana as consolation winners at the same competition. Miss BDCF 2024 will bag RM5,000 cash, a crown, sash, trophy, hamper and flowers, with the runner-up taking home RM3,000, sash, trophy and hamper. Third place will receive RM2,000 along with a sash, trophy and hamper, while other finalists get a consolation prize of RM800 each. Miss BDCF 2024 is organised by Sarakup Indu Dayak Sarawak (SIDS) Sibu in collaboration with Sibu Municipal Council (SMC).

Norizan (right) presents a token of appreciation to Sayed Azmee, while Law (left) looks on. – Photo by Peter Boon SIBU (Aug 12): The Malay/Melanau cultural heritage needs to be preserved amidst the waves of modernisation, said Cr Mohammed Abdullah Izkandar Roseley. The Borneo Cultural Festival (BCF) organising chairman and Sibu Municipal Council (SMC) deputy chairman made the call during the opening of Malay/Melanau pavilion here last night. “This is because it is part of our identity, and continues to be recognised and appreciated. “The history and identity of the Malay/Melanau in Sibu hold invaluable significance. It reflects our struggles, excellence, and the richness of our traditions. “By knowing and appreciating this history, we ensure that future generations not only know their origins but also value the cultural wealth that exists.” Izkandar’s text-of-read was read by BCF deputy organising chairperson, Cr Michelle Law, who represented him at the event. Sayed Azmee Wan Junaidi, a political secretary to the Premier of Sarawak, represented Deputy Education, Innovation and Talent Development Minister Datuk Dr Annuar Rapaee, to officiate at the event. Izkandar emphasised that Sarawak is a multicultural society with various ethnicities and customs. “Therefore, it is important for us to understand and respect the customs of all ethnic groups as part of our efforts to build a harmonious and united society,” he said. He also thanked the Malay/Melanau organising chairperson, Cr Norizan Sanyut, for her dedication and tireless efforts in bringing a new dimension to the Malay Melanau Pavilion this year. Meanwhile, Norizan, in her opening remarks, highlighted the importance of the Borneo Cultural Festival (BCF) as a platform to showcase the wealth of the cultural heritage, art, and tradition. Among those present were Bukit Assek assemblyman Joseph Chieng and SMC chairman Clarence Ting.

KUALA LUMPUR: Sarawak needs to explore ways to attract more domestic and international tourists, says Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing. "This involves developing more tourism packages and attractions, including improving infrastructure, planning tourism calendar events and so on," he said at the opening of the Chinese Pavilion at the Borneo Cultural Festival on Saturday (Aug 10) night. The Tourism, Arts, and Culture Minister also stressed that enhancing the competitiveness of local tourism would drive the vigorous development of other economic sectors, allowing people to benefit from the economic boom brought by the growth of the tourism industry. Tiong praised Sibu Municipal Council for introducing the "Clouded Leopard" as the BCF mascot, aimed at raising awareness of endangered wildlife conservation. This also reflects Sarawak's unique advantage of being rich in natural resources, he said. "Borneo is a vibrant land, and Sarawak is home to many rare and exotic animals and natural wonders that cannot be found elsewhere. "We also have unique local products such as ‘dabai’ and birds' nests. These resources can be used to create tourism products specific to Sarawak, especially highlighting Sibu's characteristics, thereby promoting local economic growth," he said. In terms of historical civilisation, Tiong said Sarawak is proud to have two Unesco World Heritage sites: Gunung Mulu National Park and the newly listed Niah National Park, reflecting Sarawak's achievements in cultural and natural conservation. The Bintulu MP praised the Kuching Festival Food Fair, which has been so successful in attracting numerous domestic and international visitors to enjoy authentic cuisine. Sibu, he said, should also organise similar grand food and cultural festivals in the future, extending the duration to more than 10 days or even up to a month. At the function, Tiong also announced an allocation of RM500,000 to the Sarawak Federation of Chinese Associations (SFCA).

Ting says this had posed a challenge for the council to carry out infrastructure and maintenance works in all areas of the city. SIBU (May 29): Sibu Municipal Council (SMC) seeks elected representatives’ cooperation to provide the council additional funding through their Rural Transformation Programme (RTP) funds. Its chairman Clarence Ting cited insufficient funding had posed a challenge for the council to carry out infrastructure and maintenance works in all areas of the city. According to him, the council received a much lower allocation this year from the Malaysian Road Records Information System (Marris) Funds at RM26 million. “Our Marris funds this year is only RM26 million, and out of this, we have reserved RM2 million for drain repair works, and almost RM11 million to repair 59 roads in Sibu,” he said. “The rest are for grass cuttings, clearing of drains and so forth.” “The contractors’ contract is on a yearly basis and services fee will vary each year, and you have to understand that the area we have to maintain is also getting bigger, so it is not really enough,” he explained. Meanwhile, on another development, Market and Petty Traders Standing Committee deputy chairman Augustine Merikan said that the renovation works for the Permai Lake Garden Food Court is now 85 per cent complete. “We expect to have the newly renovated food court to be officiated by Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas this June 29,” he announced.