SIBU: Plans are afoot to give Durin a thorough makeover in an attempt to give more buzz and attract visitors to what is now considered a quiet hollow.
Planners at the Sibu Rural District Council (SRDC) are working on beautifying the old town, drawing on the Rajang Esplanade as their model, and also hope to extend the existing jetty into the river to give it more appeal.
SRDC chairman Sempurai Petrus Ngelai said they will submit these two proposals to the Ministry of Public Health, Housing, and Local Government to obtain funds.
“We will try to submit it as soon as possible and we hope that it can be approved. We will also apply for some allocation from Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg to cover the cost of these two projects,” he said during the opening of Pesta Rakyat Durin 2022 at Pekan Durin on Saturday (Nov 26).
Sempurai also noted that Durin has the potential to be developed like Siniawan in Kuching as both are old towns with old shop designs.
“It can develop into a place for food and beverage where every week there is a food sale programme which will attract many outsiders.
“We want to open up the old town using a new concept. I will present this proposal during the council’s monthly meeting to see how to make Durin become Siniawan,” he stressed.
He explained that Durin is very strategic because it is located on the banks of the Rajang River and when the jetty is extended to the middle of the river it can be used as a place to eat and so on.
Sempurai informed that the Bukit Tunggal Stop Centre in Durin will also be built on being approved by the Premier and that it will come with various rooms such as guest rooms, a stage, a youth socialising corner, and so on.
“We will do the projects based on the available funds and for sure Durin this time will no longer be a quiet town but will be the focus of many after the projects I mentioned earlier are implemented.
“SRDC this time will not only be focusing on Selangau, Stapang, and Sibu Jaya but also Durin. We will focus more on developing it into a tourist attraction,” he said.
Therefore, he wants the members of the council to give their full commitment to SRDC’s efforts to change Durin.
Also present were SRDC Acting Secretary Chiong Siew Ping, Organising Chairman Teo Boon Siew and others.
