SIBU: The Sibu Municipal Council (SMC) will be adopting the concept of an inclusive society in its town development strategy.
According to SMC Chairman Clarence Ting Ing Horh said an inclusive society transcends ethnic backgrounds, be it Chinese, Iban, or Malay, as all residents are integral to the fabric of Sibu.
“So, we have to bring them along as we develop Sibu. With this, we do not leave anybody out in developing the town,” he said in his keynote address at the council’s full board meeting here yesterday (September 29).
Ting said that the concept was inspired by his participation in the World Cities Summit Mayors Forum 2023 in Seoul, Korea, from September 24 to 26.
He also stressed the need for a balanced approach to Sibu’s development, adding that the town should harmoniously blend its rich heritage with modernization.
“In the Bukit Assek development, it is not always a good idea to flatten everything and build new things. We need to have a balance of the new and old,” he explained.
Additionally, Ting highlighted the importance of addressing climate change issues within the town’s developmental framework.
“The council would ensure that all its policies are people-centric. If there are any changes in our policy, we will need to discuss them with the public. This was the recommendation at the forum,” he added.
