‘Cleaning up Sibu council’s top priority’

IMPROVING cleanliness will be top priority for Sibu Municipal Council (SMC) in 2024, says its chairman Clarence Ting.

“Sibu is a small town but it is growing and we need to have a clean town. This is our biggest challenge,” he said.

Speaking at SMC’s annual dinner, he said the council would be extending its mechanical street sweeping initiative from downtown to commercial areas.

Ting also emphasised the importance of keeping public toilets clean and dry, including facilities in coffeeshops.

He further urged homeowners not to treat drains in their neighbourhoods as a rubbish bin.

Another project to be carried out this year is the renovation of Rejang Park commercial centre.

“We want to ensure that the new Sungai Merah market will be open on Feb 25,” said Ting.

He said the public library, currently being renovated, would reopen in the first half of 2024.

Last year, SMC won 10 awards, he said.

He also congratulated the Sibu council staff for working late into the night following a freak storm in April to clear roads of 25 fallen trees.

Sarawak Public Health, Housing and Local Government Deputy Minister Datuk Michael Tiang urged SMC to step up its services in line with Sarawak’s aim to become a developed state by 2030.

“For Sibu not to be left behind, we need the local council to come together with Sarawak leaders to march forward in unison.”

He said SMC, which was one of the best performing councils in the state, needed to rise up to the challenge.