SIBU: Member of Parliament for Sibu, Oscar Ling is misleading the public in saying that Sibu Rural District Council (SRDC) closed its office in Sibujaya 10 years ago.
SRDC deputy chairman Robert Lau said the photograph that was provided by Ling to local papers was that of the former Sibujaya Library that was only closed a year ago, not 10 years ago.
The space was used as a library until March last year and was not left empty as alleged by the MP, he added.
“Sibujaya Library originally occupied the first floor of the two units of shophouses from 2001 and later expanded by taking over the ground floor in 2007. As library users and the population of Sibujaya continued to grow, the library was moved to the new purpose built library a year ago.
“The second and third floors of the two units were rented out and not left empty as the MP alleged. The space that was vacated by the library (ground and first floor) is now in the midst of being rented by SRDC. The photo taken by the MP shows the place being cleared to make way for the new tenant to move in,” Lau said in his press statement on Friday.
According to Lau, SRDC never has an office in Sibujaya, but only a service centre from 2001 to 2007 when the then management decided to use the ground floor for the library extension.
He stressed that SRDC’s old office was at the site that was now part of the Sibu Town Square and not in Sibujaya.
“The old office was demolished to make way for the construction of the Town Square more than 17 years ago. SRDC was relocated to Wisma Sanyan, currently occupying Levels 17 and 18. To the question posted by the MP for Bandar Sibu, he is well paid to be able to find out the answer rather than trying to politicise the matter. My question to him is; why is he raising an issue that was decided more than 17 years ago?
“I refer to his amazing suggestion that the two units of shophouses in Sibujaya should be used for SRDC office. Is he so naïve to suggest that the two units of shophouses are sufficient to house the 80 plus staff of SRDC?
“Only a few days ago, he said SRDC office should remain in Wisma Sanyan so as not to cause inconvenience to residents at the West Bank,” said Lau.
He explained that the staff of SRDC would continue to grow to serve the growing community and Sibujaya was growing at a very fast rate.
“It is already a town on its own. It is only wise to plan for the future of SRDC generally and Sibujaya specifically. SRDC will work with anyone who is able to bring more development to Sibu, including the West Bank.
“One of the key roles of an MP is to do that,” he said.
