KUCHING: Sibu Municipal Council (SMC) is aiming to achieve city status for Sibu town by 2031.
SMC chairman Clarence Ting Ing Horh said he accepted the challenge of fulfilling the shortages in the council’s annual revenue and reserve fund, which are now at RM18 million and RM25 million respectively.
“I hope SMC can be the catalyst to Sibu’s growth in the next 10 years and elevate ourselves to a city,” he said when speaking during SMC’s 40th anniversary celebration held via Zoom on Tuesday (Nov 2).
Ting said SMC’s jurisdiction covered 129.5 sq km of land in Sibu, most of which are deep peat land and unsuitable for development.
“I hope the state government will steer us in the right direction in planning towards areas that are more undulating and less flood prone for Sibu to grow further.”
He pointed out that the Local Government and Housing Ministry had also played its part in providing guidance and advice throughout the years since SMC was established.
Ting added that SMC served as the third-tier government and was the closest to the people as well as being a part of the community.
“In this spirit, the people’s problem is our challenge. That is why in the two years since we took office, our group discussions reflect the daily matters of the rakyat when they are brought to our attention.
“Have we managed to resolve all the challenges in Sibu? The answer is no. Does that mean we have failed? No. In fact our daily mentions of our group discussions on various issues here are part and parcel of running a council.
“The fact that the rakyat contacted us is because they have confidence in us, they have confidence in the council to resolve these problems for them, and that’s why the council continues to exist.”
