Tiang: Sibu has potential to be elevated into city status with strategic planning, collective effort
Posted on 01 Jan 2025
Source of News: The Borneo Post (Jane Moh)
Tiang (left) receives a memento from Ting.
SIBU (Jan 1): Sibu has the potential to be elevated into a city status with strategic planning and cooperation from everyone, said Sarawak Deputy Public Health, Housing and Local Government Minister Datuk Michael Tiang
Speaking at the Sibu Municipal Council (SMC) New Year Countdown 2025 at Dataran Tun Tuanku Bujang last night, he said Sibu has a great potential to grow and to be developed.
However, building up Sibu required concerted efforts, thus everyone must come together to make the dream of elevating Sibu into a city come true.
“I know that for so long, we want Sibu to be elevated into a city status. I strongly believe with the strategic plans that we have and with the cooperation from everyone we do not have to wait for a very long time anymore to have this dream come true.
“Of course, we want Sibu to be developed into not just any other city, but a city that is sustainable, that is green, and that is friendly to everyone. A city where everyone feels safe,” he said.
The Pelawan assemblyman said that Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) government aspired to transform Sibu into a place where young people have the opportunity to grow, to showcase their talents and to start their own businesses.
Citing the new Sg Merah Market, he said the new concept has changed the whole business model for that place.
Thus, he believed that Sibu has a lot more to offer but the government and the related agencies must provide the opportunity for the young people.
“We need our young people to stay in Sibu. However, we do not want these young people to feel confined in this small town, as if there is not much room for them to grow and to expand.
“We want Sibu to be a place for them where they can be themselves and to explore what they can do for themselves and for the town itself.
“I envisioned Sibu as a place where opportunity flourish,” he said.
In embracing the new year, he called on the people to embrace new chapters, new progress and new challenges together.
“I believe our Sarawak government has new plans and new policies in 2025. However, in order for Sibu to go to another level, it starts with all of us.
“We have to make sure that we are all ready to accept new levels or progress. I always believe that we Sibu folks can do it. We are creative enough to do it,” he said.
He also urged everyone to strive to do better in 2025 and look forward with hope to do the best they could for Sibu and for themselves.
Also present at the countdown were Bukit Assek assemblyman Joseph Chieng, Senator Robert Lau Hui Yew, SMC chairman Clarence Ting, organising chairperson Cr Michelle Law Wan Ling and others.
