SIBU: Many villages in Sibu have disappeared to make way for development in Sibu town centre.
Should there be efforts to replace these villages into new locations, the Sibu Malay community is urged to fully support efforts to revive the villages that have disappeared.
Sibu Malay/Melanau community head, Temenggong Datuk Wan Hamid Edruce said, the matter was raised by the Deputy Minister of Education, Innovation and Talent Development Dr Annuar Rapaee in a ceremony here recently.
Dr Annuar said the villages involved were Kampung Nyabor, Kampung Pulo Berendam, Kampung Pulo and Kampung Pak Sanyut.
“We should support this effort because any village that has been used for development in Sibu, must be replaced.
“If the Malay community here supports the effort, we can ask the Sarawak Government to provide a suitable location for us to redevelop the villages that have disappeared,” he said.
He said this while officiating at the Raya Adilifri hospitality ceremony jointly hosted by the Rukun Tetangga (KRT) Area of Kampung Hilir / Kampung Baharu/ Kampung Pa’Dris) here last Friday night.
Apart from that, Wan Hamid is also proud of the progress of the Malay/ Melanau community in Sibu at this time, as more and more people are involved in business activities.
“Compared to the situation 10 to 20 years ago, many of our Malay/ Melanau community only rent small stalls in coffee shops to do business.
“But now, I see we are moving forward. Many of our traders are starting to rent a shop lot or more to grow their business.
“This is a positive sign for the economy of our society and I hope our society will continue to remain active in business in the future,” he pointed out.
The event was also attended by those from the local Chinese and Iban communities.
Also present were Kampung Hilir Sibu KRT Chairman Mohamad Akim, Sibu Division Unity Officer Siti Nur Fatimah Hussen and other invited guests.
