Jalan Bukit Penyau in Sibu is covered in dried mud from lorries entering and exiting construction areas. THE days of lorry owners parking their heavy vehicles indiscriminately in urban areas in Sarawak will soon end, with the construction of lorry terminals in major towns there. Sarawak Transport Minister Datuk Seri Lee Kim Shin announced that the first terminal, which would serve as the state government’s pilot project, would be in Miri. “I am happy to inform you that the ministry has started the planning for the development of a dedicated parking space for heavy vehicles in Sarawak, starting with major towns,” he said at the installation of new office bearers for Sibu Lorry Association. Lee’s speech text was read out by his representative, Sarawak Public Health, Housing and Local Government Deputy Minister Michael Tiang. These terminals, he explained, were to facilitate better movement of heavy vehicles and provide more efficient service to the business community. “We are planning for a lorry terminal in Bintulu and also one in Sibu. Nevertheless, planning and development of these terminals may take some time,” he said. Sarawak government, he stressed, was still looking at successful models of lorry terminals or logistic hubs in other countries like Singapore and Thailand, which it hoped to emulate.   Lee says there are plans for a lorry terminal in Bintulu and Sibu. In conjunction with this, Lee said the government was exploring a public-private partnership model to ensure financial sustainability of the terminal, especially in maintaining and managing future ones. “We welcome input and new ideas from the private sector, including from the Lorry Association, on the way forward for our transport and logistics sector. “The government facilitates your requirements according to the development needs and institutional and regulation framework that we have now,” he said. The ministry, he added, was also looking at upgrading infrastructure and improving institutional and regulation framework to ensure the transport sector continues to play its role efficiently. Meanwhile, in Sibu, it is now mandatory for housing developers to set up a lorry wash bay at their construction site. “With this wash bay, we believe we can overcome the issue of dusty and muddy roads that has been affecting residents,” said Bukit Assek assemblyman Joseph Chieng after chairing a meeting with representatives from Sibu Municipal Council (SMC), Sibu Rural District Council (SRDC), Natural Resource and Environmental Board (NREB), Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB) and Sarawak Housing and Real Estate Developers’ Association (Sheda). He said the developers must also pave the feeder road in the construction site that connected to the main road. “Before the lorry goes out, it will have to be properly washed and cleaned at the wash bay,” he added. This standard operating procedure (SOP) was instituted following numerous complaints from affected residents, especially those living near Jalan Ulu Sungai Merah and Jalan Bukit Penyau. “Housing developers will be given a three-month grace period to observe the new SOP, which will be enforced by the relevant agencies. “This SOP is not new as it has been enforced in peninsular Malaysia and Kuching before this,” Chieng said.

(From right) Zeckry briefs Chieng and Izkandar on the lift operations. — Photo by Peter Boon SIBU (May 3): There should always be a technician on standby to monitor the lifts at Sibu Central Market, in case of emergency such as the one that occurred on Monday morning. In making this call, Sibu Municipal Council (SMC) deputy chairman Mohammed Abdullah Izkandar Roseley expressed his dissatisfaction over the contractor’s response time to attend to the emergency, where two people were trapped inside a stalled lift at the market. “They (the two individuals) remained stuck inside the lift for about 45 minutes before the contractor arrived. “The two had to wait for the contractor to come and open the lift; it is known that this contractor is also servicing (the lifts in) the hospital. “To me, this response time is unacceptable as the council always places top priority on public safety. Even 10 minutes (of waiting time inside the lift) is unacceptable, as it can be very stressful especially for elderly folks. “The contractor’s response time must be fast since they are contracted to manage and maintain the lifts (at the central market). “So, we will set up a meeting with the contractor soon, and I will press on the issue of safety and response time,” he told The Borneo Post when met after jointly conducting inspection on the lifts with Bukit Assek assemblyman Joseph Chieng at the central market here yesterday. For the record, there are four lifts at Sibu Central Market, with one near the Urban Transformation Centre (UTC)’s entrance being ‘notoriously problematic’. These lifts are known to be under heavy usage in view of the market also housing the UTC. Izkandar added: “While we understand the contractor’s manpower constraints with regard to having CPs (competent persons) to monitor the lifts, they must also acknowledge the need for better maintenance in view of the heavy usage of the lifts at the central market. “It all boils down to maintenance and the SOP (standard operating procedure) on response time during any emergency. “To me, there should be zero tolerance on risks affecting the HSE (healthy, safety and environment).” Izkandar also stressed that he would not wish to see such incident reoccur. “Like I have said, there is a high usage of the lifts at the central market, and there are also many elderly folks around. “It’s best to do things properly to avoid any untoward incident. This kind of thing should not be happening,” he pointed out. Asked if the problematic lift would be off limits for public use, Izkandar said the contractor’s CP was still in the midst of checking it. “If it’s declared unfit for use later on, the lift would be off limits to the public.” Adding on, Izkandar said of the four lifts, two were ‘old ones’, while the other two were installed in 2015 to facilitate access to the UTC. With regard to the two old lifts, he said he would discuss with the engineer and after that, he would seek funding for repair or replacement works. According to SMC technical assistant Zeckry Appley William, the lifts at Sibu Central Market are checked every month. Meanwhile, a hawker at the central market said the Monday incident was not the first. “There were several times when the lift stalled,” he said, requesting anonymity.

Firefighters clearing debris in Jalan Pahlawan after the freak storm. Sibu Municipal Council (SMC) has set up a special disaster committee following a freak storm that hit Sibu, Sarawak, on April 6. The committee, involving SMC staff and councillors, will be headed by SMC chairman Clarence Ting and assisted by deputy chairman Mohammad Abdullah Izkandar Rosely. “The committee was set up so that SMC can be prepared for natural disasters in the future,” Ting said at the local council’s full board meeting. “SMC hopes the committee can help minimise impact of disasters on the public. “We will draw up emergency measures as precautionary steps against natural disasters,” he added. Ting said climate change could bring about various forms of natural disasters like the recent freak storm. The storm uprooted about 15 trees and blew away hundreds of roofs in various parts of Sibu.

Izkandar (seated fifth left) in a photo call with other members of the organising committees. SIBU (April 27): An International Night will be among highlights of this year’s Borneo Cultural Festival (BCF), to be held July 14-23 at Dataran Tun Tuanku Haji Bujang here. Sibu Municipal Council (SMC) deputy chairman Mohammed Abdullah Izkandar Roseley said the 10-day celebration would also showcase three traditional signature nights, namely Chinese Night on July 15, Malay/Melanau Night on July 19 and Dayak Night on July 21. “We have always tried to improve and introduce new ideas to our festival, which is why for this year, we specially introduce the International Night on July 22 to enliven the occasion and make it more interesting,” he told a press conference here yesterday morning. Izkandar said this year’s celebrations would carry a flora and fauna theme with colorful and diverse performances from the various communities and the launch of BCF arch and fireworks to conclude the festival on July 23. He added they would also hold the annual Kumang Borneo Dayak Cultural Festival on the final night. ‘The Atmosferah’ from Sabah will also make an appearance with their song ‘Original Sabahan’ and other performance. Other details of  the international night will be announced in stages later, he added.

One of the abandoned cars at the roadside. SIBU (April 27): Sibu Municipal Council (SMC) will start removing all the derelict and abandoned cars left at the roadsides and in front of workshops to its landfill site at Kemuyang, from next month. Its chairman Clarence Ting said the site was ready and there should not be any delay to remove all these abandoned cars which were an eyesore and a health hazard. “Hopefully, by the end of the year, we can fill up the Kemuyang landfill site with all these derelict cars,” he said at the SMC meeting on Wednesday. As such, Ting reminded his enforcement staff to write to the owners of the workshops on the council’s impending move. “These abandoned cars are found all over Sibu, from Sungei Antu to Jalan Teng Kung Suk at Jalan Upper Lanang. All of these derelict cars ought to be removed,” he said. Ting said they also received lots of complaints from members of the public on these abandoned cars left at the roadside. He cited Jalan Kuda as a case, where more than 10 abandoned cars were left at the parking spaces. “We already have the contractors to remove the cars and hopefully, they will do the job fast.”

SMC Chairman Clarence Ting SIBU (April 26): Sibu Municipal Council (SMC) will soon roll out its mechanical road sweeper pilot project – the first municipal council in Sarawak to do so. SMC Chairman Clarence Ting said mechanical road sweeping was supposed to begin in January for the central business district area, but was delayed due to unforeseen circumstances. “Things are getting better now and the mechanical street sweeping should commence soon,” he said during the SMC monthly meeting today. Should the pilot project prove feasible, Ting said it could be expanded to other commercial areas. “With this mechanical street sweeping, my hope is that our streets should be cleaner and will not be so dusty,” he said. Ting explained that the CBD areas to be covered would be from Kingwood Hotel (Jalan Maju) to Paramount Hotel (Jalan Kampung Datu). He said the mechanical road sweeper would most likely operate at night to prevent traffic congestion. On another matter, Ting said SMC staff who receive reports of open burning should submit the details and information to the Natural Resources and Environment Board (NREB) for investigation. He said NREB would then penalise those caught committing the offence. “But they require us to give them the information, otherwise they will not know. So, if you receive any complaints on open burning, get all the evidence and addresses, and all this information must be sent periodically to NREB for them to update and take action. This is our duty,” he said. In this regard, he reminded the SMC Public Health committee to address the issue, especially with the current dry season. “People like to carry out open burning during this hot season and we should stop them from doing so,” he added.

One of the residents scoop the dead fish. SIBU (April 21): A large number of freshwater fish were found dead at the pool of Bukit Aup Jubilee Park here yesterday. News about the floating dead fish spread fast, and within minutes, residents from the nearby areas crowded the place with pails, plastic bags and buckets to collect the dead fish. Sibu Municipal Council (SMC) chairman Clarence Ting who was in a state of shock after being informed of the news, contacted the landscape architect to check on the matter. According to the park maintenance contractor as told by Ting, the ongoing climate change has affected the functioning of ecosystems. These effects of climate change with a rise in temperature, he said, can cause the death of some fish because they were unable to obtain the oxygen required at higher temperatures, and that some fishes were not adapted to rises in seawater temperature. Meanwhile, a stall hawker operating nearby the park told The Borneo Post that he sensed something was amiss when the fish had become inactive lately. “Some of the dead fish began to emerge on the surface of the pool on Wednesday and more dead fish emerged today (Thursday),” he said, adding that the bigger dead fish would have already sunk to the bottom of the pool.

The mural painting measures 4.33 metres in height with a width of 7.07 metres at Gorgeous Trading Sdn Bhd’s Shell Station at Mile 9, Jalan Oya – entering into The Malaysia Book of Records (MBR). – Photo by Peter Boon SIBU (April 19): There have been more than 7,000 records of various feats created in the country since the inception of The Malaysia Book of Records (MBR) in 1995, said its senior record consultant Edwin Yeoh. Met after MBR certificate presentation ceremony for the ‘Biggest 3D Artwork at a Petrol Station’ at Gorgeous Trading Sdn Bhd’s Shell Station at Mile 9, Jalan Oya here last night, he said he foresees more records to be made and broken in time to come. He added that MBR receives emails and applications on a daily basis for entry into the record book, but has turned down a number of applications due to lack of documented proof. “Up to now, we have a total of over 7,000 records for the past 28 years and this record (biggest 3D artwork at a petrol station) will be added to this long list of records,” he told The Borneo Post. The 3D artwork at Gorgeous Trading’s Shell Station measures 4.33 metres in height and 7.07 metres in width. Sibu Municipal Council chairman, Clarence Ting, representing Deputy Minister of Public Health, Housing and Local Government Michael Tiang, was present to witness the event. Meanwhile, Sri Minyak Group general manager Amelia Tiu explained that the mural, titled ‘U Look’ means ‘there is a road ahead’ in Mandarin. “The mural aims to promote the local tourism and showcase the beauty of Sarawak’s tropical rainforest, which is full of beautiful scenery and surprises,” she said. Amelia recalled that mural was officially completed on April 28, 2022 with Tiang and Sibu Rural District chairman Sempurai Petrus Ngelai witnessing the final brush work. She added that as part of the artwork’s unveiling, Gorgeous Trading launched a check-in event on Facebook to attract the public to come and take the most creative photo with the mural. The contest attracted a total of 91 contestants, while thousands more visited the station to check out the artwork. Apart of MBR certificate presentation ceremony, Gorgeous Trading also distributed 150 sets of ‘bubur lambuk’ yesterday, followed by a breaking of fast event to thank their customers. Among those present were Sri Minyak Group Bhd executive chairman Datuk William Tiu and wife Datin Siew Kim Geok, Syarikat Sri Minyak Tenaga Sdn Bhd managing director Johnson Tiu, Syarikat Sri Minyak Group human resources manager Pricilla Tiu, and Councillor Joshua Ting.

(from left) Pricilla, Johnson, Yeoh, Ting, Amelia, Siew, Tiu and Joshua take one for the album with the mural. – Photo by Peter Boon SIBU (April 18): Sibu Municipal Council (SMC) chairman Clarence Ting today encouraged folks here to create record-breaking feats to get their names into the Malaysian Book of Records (MBR). He said this would help propel Sibu onto the world map, and such achievements will draw more tourists here. “You see, the country that I know of which is very ‘obsessed’ with this sort of feat is India. I think Malaysia with its own book of records, I would like to encourage more Sibu folk to get interested in this. This is one of the ways of putting Sibu on the world map. “So, I congratulate Sri Minyak Group for putting your name in the Malaysian Book of Records because not everyone has it. That is why I encourage Sibu folk to go and check a record – if you can break it, why not do it?” Ting was speaking to reporters after witnessing the MBR certificate presentation ceremony for the biggest 3D artwork at the Shell Station at Mile 9, Jalan Oya here tonight. The 3D artwork is a painting which measures 4.33 metres in height and 7.07 metres in width, and is the work of Sibu-born mural artist Aries Kong, fondly known as ‘Jagung’. Adding on, Ting said that once the Pan Borneo Highway is fully-complete, this petrol station will become more popular as more visitors will drop by. “This is why the mural is important – it is because of the Malaysian Book of Records,” he said. He also challenged the Sri Minyak Group to consider setting up the first McDonald’s drive-through here at the petrol station, and said it is his hope that they will continue making a change for Sibu. The mural was first unveiled on May 12, 2022, by Tiang and was witnessed by Sibu Rural District chairman Sempurai Petrus Ngelai and Sri Minyak Group executive chairman Dato William Tiu. Ting was representing Deputy Minister of Public Health, Housing and Local Government Michael Tiang. MBR senior record consultant Edwin Yeoh presented the certificate to Sri Minyak Group’s general manager Amelia Tiu. Among those present tonight were William and his wife Datin Siew Kim Geok, Syarikat Sri Minyak Tenaga Sdn Bhd managing director Johnson Tiu and human resources manager Pricilla Tiu as well as councillor Joshua Ting.

FIRST aid kits need to be provided at food courts, for times of emergency, says an NGO in Sarawak. Malaysian Red Crescent Society (MRCS) Sibu branch chairman Chua Hiong Kee said he had suggested this to the new Sibu Municipal Council (SMC) deputy chairman Mohammed Abdullah Izkandar Roseley. Chua said every minute counted during an emergency. He was speaking after the launch of MRCS Sibu branch annual flag sales by Sarawak Deputy Public Health, Housing and Local Government Minister Michael Tiang. “We cannot wait until the ambulance arrives,” said Chua. “Somebody needs to apply first aid when a person meets with an accident or suddenly falls sick, as the chances of recovery would be better,” he said, adding that he hoped the council would consider providing the first aid kits. Chua said MRCS would provide free first aid training to food operators. Mohammed Abdullah said he would bring the matter to SMC for consideration. “As far as I can see, food courts are only equipped with fire extinguishers now. “It is a good precautionary measure for both customers and food operators. “There should be at least one trained first aider too,” he said.