SIBU: More than 100 people turned up at a dialogue session organised by Sibu Rural District Council (SRDC) on Thursday in Sibu Jaya.
It was pointed out that SRCD is committed to ensuring Sibu Jaya will be a successful and orderly township.
As such, there are rules that must be followed and the people must understand that it was in their best interest to follow such rules.
Deputy Chairman of SRDC Councillor Robert Lau Hui Yew said this at the opening the dialogue session attended by business operators, shop owners, the township’s developer and SRDC Councillors at the Sibu Jaya Library.
“We are not here to make life difficult for anyone. By the same token we do not want the actions of a few to make life difficult for everyone else,” he said referring to activities that created inconveniences to others in the form of unlicenced structures or usage of public spaces.
The dialogue session was held to let the stakeholders know what they could use and do and how they could go about applying through proper channels for the temporary usages of certain spaces. It was also meant as a platform for stake holders to voice up and to provide feedback to the Council.
With the big turnout, Lau described it as highly successful because he could see that they were willing to work together with the Council and all parties were committed to resolving challenges instead of blaming each other.
“Yes we will always have differences in opinions. But what matters is that the people know that SRDC is not here to make things hard for them. And all of us in SRDC also know that our existence is to facilitate the people’s needs and as such we will always strive to do what we can for the people,” he said.
Lau also reminded the people that they have only one chance to get it right with regards to the township’s orderly development.
“The moment you slack and let it slide then the beautiful township that you see before you will deteriorate. That is why we are so concerned about getting things right in the first place,” he explained.
Everything has been planned properly in Sibu Jaya, and the township has even picked up an award for excellent town planning. It was now up to the people and the Council to make sure that this township grows properly into its full potential and not in a haphazard manner, he said.
An orderly and progressive township that is as vibrant as Sibu Jaya could only lead to more business opportunities for the people, he added.
