Rep’s ardent appeal to youth
SIBU: Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing has appealed to local youth to help him turn Sibu into a goose that lays golden eggs, like in the best known of Aesop’s Fables.
“If you are a youth, consider staying in your hometowns where you can grow, develop and start your businesses,”
The Dudong assemblyman told youth here after officiating at the Sibu Chinese New Year Bazaar (TBC) at Pintu Gerbang Sibu on Saturday night.
“After all, Sibu is a place where you grew up with your parents and family,” he said, adding that youth were vital building blocks for their communities as well as ensuring economic prosperity.
Tiong told the youth after learning some skills and knowledge elsewhere and gathering some necessary experience, they should consider returning to their hometowns to make use of the knowledge and skills in Sibu.
He said whatever their family backgrounds, youth should try to build a business from scratch with their own strengths and put to good use the latest technology and social media to create brands and make presentations.
“And then, move to international markets for more business opportunities,” he added.
Tiong said introducing more investments would attract youth here to continue contributing to the town.
The Prime Minister’s Special Envoy to China said in the recent state election, the youth provided a lot of support to the Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) government.
“I would like to thank you all for your trust in me. I hope you and I can work together … let us all move unwaveringly towards that goal, support the hopes of future generations, and turn Sibu into a goose that lays golden eggs, like in the fairy tale,” he said.
On the Sibu TBC Bazaar, Tiong said it brought together many ambitious young people from all over Sibu to showcase their brands and products.
He hoped youth who participated in the bazaar could benefit from it by finding suitable new partners to work together to bring products and ideas to market and make the business stronger, thereby encouraging the local economy.
He also urged young entrepreneurs not to give up despite facing various challenges in the global economy.
At the event, Tiong announced a grant of RM50,000 to the Sarawak Startup Entrepreneurs Association as an additional resource to help more young entrepreneurs start their businesses.
Also present at the event were Sibu Municipal Council (MPS) Chairman Clarence Ting Ing Horh, Sarawak Startup Entrepreneurs Association Dr Renco Yong and TBC Sibu Bazaar Organising Chairman Andy Ting.
Meanwhile, in his Facebook post on Sunday (Jan 23), Tiong proposed that the Sungai Rajang and Sungai Igan to be deepened to prevent floodings.
He said he had discussed the proposal with Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg during his official visit to Sibu on Saturday.
He stressed that it was time for serious action to stop the nightmares of the local people who had been plagued by floods for decades.
“Therefore, I will integrate the overall situation and gather the detailed information and then report it to the chief minister,” he said.
Abang Johari was in Sibu on Saturday to attend a briefing on Bukit Assek Redevelopment Plan.
The briefing was delivered by Land Custody and Development Authority (LCDA) general manager Monaliza Zaidel.
