‘Bukit Assek redevelopment plan to be ready soon’

Chieng (third from right) and Ting (sixth from left) symbolically hanging up a signboard to open Tiong Hua Road Market.

The master plan for the redevelopment of Bukit Assek in Sibu will be ready this year.

Bukit Assek assemblyman Joseph Chieng said drafting a comprehensive plan needed time as many factors have to be taken into consideration.

“We need to get a good plan because the success of redeveloping Bukit Assek depends on it,” he said.

He was commenting on a statement by former Bukit Assek assemblyman Irene Chang who questioned the outcome of the redevelopment plan as she claimed it was taking too long.

He appealed for people to be patient as drawing up an effective plan for an area of considerable size required time.

Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Openg, he added, would announce it at the right time.

“The Premier will announce this soon. It will be this year.

“But it depends on the relevant parties because right now, they are still doing a thorough study on the plan,” he said at the opening of Tiong Hua Road Market at its temporary location in Jalan Chew Siik Hiong in Sibu.

On the market, Chieng said he would continue to work with the Sibu Municipal Council (SMC) to improve facilities there.

To mark its opening, a signboard made of belian wood with the name of the market in Chinese characters was installed.

Chieng said the market’s new permanent location would only be known once the Bukit Assek redevelopment plan was completed.

Also present at the market’s opening were SMC chairman Clarence Ting, his deputy Bujang Abdul Majid and acting secretary Yong Ing Chu as well as councillors.