SIBU: Sibu Municipal Council (SMC) will continue to organise a new year’s countdown in the ensuing year to showcase the various talented artistes for Sibu folk to celebrate and enjoy.
SMC chairman Clarence Ting Ing Horth called upon Sibu residents to come out to support this sort of event.
“I would like to thank non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and sponsors who have helped SMC in various meaningful activities for the betterment of Sibu.
“We want to let outsiders know that Sibu is better. That is why tonight (Dec 31) I see the big crowd here and am so proud of Sibu folk,” he said at the Countdown 2023 event here on Saturday night (Dec 31).
Thousands of people, young and old alike, thronged Sibu Town Square to usher in 2023, which culminated in a spectacular display of fireworks at the stroke of midnight for about 10 minutes.
The event featured various performances from mostly local artistes, commencing at 7pm.
The performers included Danger Crew, At Adau, Swan D, Sapeh Paradise, Hyper Act and K-Clique.
Others were Christina Tou Yee Yee, Ramles Walter, Melissa Francis, Raquel Then and Chieng Chien Ng.
Ting also paid tribute to SMC councillors because many would be retiring on March 31 and had worked as a great team for more than three years.
“We hope those retiring will continue to serve the community after leaving SMC. The last time we had a countdown in Sibu was in 2019. I remember the event organising chairman was Cr Andy Ting but unfortunately, this year (2022) he passed away.
“Tonight (Dec 31), l would like to pay tribute to him for his efforts because he was a great councillor.”
Ting assured that SMC would organise the Borneo Cultural Festival (BCF) this year and the 2024 countdown for the benefit of folk here.
Earlier, event organising chairman Cr Mohammed Abdullah Izkandar Roseley said as a council, SMC would like to give the best to the community, to share happiness and to appreciate efforts and assistance from the community in ensuring Sibu stays beautiful, clean, safe and vibrant.
“Hopefully, 2023 will be a great year as we will kick off the new year with the Sibu Tower Run in March and the biggest event in Sibu, which is BCF in July.”
Abdullah, who is also the vice-chairman of SMC’s standing commitee for Social and Community Development, expressed his gratitude to the event’s emcees Fir Affendy and Afiq Wazal for doing a wonderful job.
Meanwhile, a prize presentation for the respective winners of SMC’s Christmas Tree Decoration contest was also conducted.
In the churches category, Zion Methodist Church walked away with RM2,000, followed by Xin Fu Yuan Methodist Church with RM1,500 and Sacred Heart Cathedral with RM1,000.
SMK Methodist Sibu emerged the champion in the School/University category and was awarded with RM2,000 followed by SMK Kampung Nangka with RM1,500 and University Technology of Sarawak with RM1,000.
The consolation winners were Catholic High School and SM Wong Nai Siong with each collecting RM500.
Bukit Assek assemblyman Joseph Chieng Jin Ek, Sibu Chinese community chief Temenggong Datuk Vincent Lau Lee Ming, SMC deputy chairman Bujang Abdul Majid and acting SMC secretary Yong Ing Chu were among those present at the event.
