SIBU: Bukit Aup Jubilee Park here is in a poor state after 20 years without maintenance. At least RM1 million is needed to rejuvenate it.
Chairman of the Building Control Committee of Sibu Municipal Council Councillor, David Lau Kiing, has advised the council to seek money from the government for the purpose.
“The park is smelly because there are dead fish in the lake. It is in a bad shape now. We need to push for funding to make it more vibrant,” he said.
Lau added that because the park was very rundown now, not many people go there compared to yesteryears especially during weekends when it was packed with visitors.
He said now the fish there are swimming on the surface of the water, gasping for air as the stagnant water has little oxygen.
“The dead fish are emitting foul smell. When the wind blows, you can smell the dead fish. Nobody wants to sit in the sheds anymore as the lake is smelly. This is very sad as the park was once a nice place for visitors,” said Lau.
He suggested that to rejuvenate the park the council could repair the leaking roofs of the sheds first while waiting for the government funds.
The 90-hectare park at Jalan Quarry, about 8km from the town centre here, won the National Landscaping Competition Award in 1997 and 1998 in the park category.
Construction work on the RM6.5 million park began in 1993 and was completed three years later.
At the peak of its popularity, the park attracted hordes of visitors, especially during the weekends and public holidays.
Its main attractions were nature trails where visitors could enjoy short trekking, jogging or nature-watching.
It was also the perfect place to have a bird’s eye view of Sibu town.
Many visitors also came to enjoy the affordable but delicious food and drinks offered by its eateries or to make full use of its barbecue pits. – GERALD LAWSON
