Festive bazaars back in Sibu, starting with CNY

Some of the palm trees on Jalan Au Yong will be cleared by the council for obstructing motorists’ view.

BAZAARS leading up to Chinese New Year, Hari Raya Aidilfitri and Gawai celebrations are set to make a comeback in Sibu, Sarawak.

Sibu Municipal Council (SMC) chairman Clarence Ting said the Sibu Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCCI) would be given the task of organising the bazaars.

The move, he said, was to enhance racial harmony and understanding among the people.

“SCCCI will organise the Chinese New Year bazaar at Sibu Gateway starting Jan 20.

“We want it to also organise the bazaars for the other festivals.

“The purpose of this is to promote unity and showcase our practice of promoting better understanding of each other’s cultures and greater racial integration,” he added.

The last Chinese New Year bazaar held two years ago before the Covid-19 pandemic was organised by SMC at Jalan Tukang Besi.

Ting was speaking at newly elected Pelawan assemblyman Michael Tiang’s media appreciation night.

Separately, Ting warned that some of the palm and papaya trees — planted by residents at road shoulders and in front of their houses — would be felled.

The first area the council will check is Jalan Au Yong, he said.

“SMC will cut down the papaya and palm trees at the road shoulder because they are obstructing the view of motorists.

“Some of these trees are unkempt as they have not been looked after,” he said, adding that similar tree-clearing programmes would be carried out in other neighbourhoods.

Ting also said that the Taman Harmoni Food Court would be turned into a completely halal eatery from Jan 20.

“Previously all food and drinks were served by Muslim operators without halal certification.

“By turning it into a halal food court, we can also promote it for tourism purposes,” he added.