30 bins to be placed at 3 locations for burning Hungry Ghost paper offerings, says SMC committee chief

SIBU (Aug 9): Thirty bins will be provided at three locations here from Aug 15 till 18 for those wishing to conduct burning of paper offerings during the Hungry Ghost Festival, said Cr Donna Petrus Ngelai.

The Sibu Municipal Council (SMC) General Purpose and Community Services Standing Committee chairperson informed that the three locations are Jalan Pahlawan/Jalan Dr Wong Soon Kai traffic island, Jalan Lada/Jalan Tun Ahmad Zaidi Adruce (TAZA) roundabout, and Jalan Wawasan traffic island (near Kolej Laila Taib).

“Ten bins will be placed at each of the three designated locations – meaning, 30 ‘tongs’ (bins) in all three locations.

“We will be placing these bins at the three locations from Aug 15 till 18.

“Hopefully, members of the public intending to carry out burning of paper offerings can do so inside the bins.

“This is to avoid the paper offerings from being scattered around by the wind after the ritual,” she said.

Donna told reporters this after a dialogue with Yu Lung San Tian En Temple, Foochow Association, Tua Pek Kong Temple, Sibu Fong Hwang San Ur Par Wang Kong and Sibu Kwong Wai Siew Association on the procedure for burning of paper offerings today.

She recalled that grass easily caught fire during the ritual burning last year due to the hot and dry weather.

If done indiscriminately, smoke from the burning might pose health hazards, she added.

Donna expressed gratitude to the associations for disseminating the information to their members.

“The associations are very supportive and have conveyed all the information to their members.

“Let’s join hands to keep Sibu clean.”

Meanwhile, this year’s Zhong Yuan Festival or Hungry Ghost Festival falls on Aug 18.

SMC General Purpose and Community Standing Committee vice chairman Cr Joseph Lim was also present at the dialogue.