SIBU: Licensing that allows bistros to have live music performance is currently being looked into by Sibu Municipal Council (SMC).
SMC chairman Clarence Ting Ing Horh said live music in bistros seemed to be the trend, especially among young people.
“Following the opening up of activities after the pandemic, it seems a lot of young people like to go to places that offer live music. Unfortunately, we (local government) still have not caught up and are unable to (issue) licence (to) many of the bistros.
“They are doing live music without proper licence. So, I would say we need to license this place,” he said at the launch of the Borneo Ethnic Music Exchange Conference (BEMEC) here today.
Met by the media later, Ting said the owners of bistros offering live music performance without licence would get in trouble with the authorities as well as residents in the area.
“The reason why it is very difficult right now (is) because they (bistros) are all over the place and some are too near residential areas. So, the residents complain (to the authorities) that the music is too loud and they cannot sleep at night.”
Hence, Ting opined that the only way was to pick a suitable location here and turn it into a centre for entertainment.
“This is a better way and easier for all the investors. If they want to invest, they want it to be secured, that nobody can disturb them.”
