Ting (centre) and SMC deputy chairman Mohammed Abdullah Izkandar Roseley (3rd left) posing with SMC counsellors displaying the Earth Hour poster.
SIBU: The Sibu Municipal Council (SMC) is scheduled to switch off lights at 12 designated locations, including street lamps, for an hour starting at 8.30 pm on Saturday (Mar 23), to observe Earth Hour.
The areas affected are the Sibu Gateway and street lighting along Jalan Kampung Nyabor, Taman Ling, Sibu Central Market, SMC Public Library, Dataran Tun Tuanku Bujang Phase I, and Rajang Port Authority.
Other locations are Sanyan Tower (external lighting), Universiti Teknologi Sarawak (UTS), Laila Taib College (KLT), Sing Kwong Supermarket, Farley Supermarket, and the SMC Chairman’s Office.
Chairman Clarence Ting Ing Horh said SMC initiated the Earth Hour programme in Sarawak in 2010, and it has since been supported by several councils across the state.
“Hence, the local councils decide to host this programme on a rotation basis and this year, Miri City Council will lead the initiative, with SMC and others participating virtually.
“The public can tune in to the live broadcast on the Sibu Municipal Council Chairman’s Facebook page from 7.30 pm. Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian will be the guest of honour,” he told a press conference at Wisma Sanyan here, yesterday (Mar 20).
He urged the public to support the SMC initiative by switching off lights for one hour from 8.30 to 9.30 pm, especially decorative lights and neon signs for advertising, both at home and in office buildings.
“This campaign is for anyone committed to making our planet a better place for current and future generations. I urge parents to involve their children in this initiative to raise awareness,” he added.
Ting also said they would request electricity usage data from Sarawak Energy to monitor the programme’s impact.
“We will tell the public how much energy we managed to reduce during the one-hour period,” he said.
