SIBU: Sarawak Premier today reiterated the state government’s plan to develop Sibu town into a new “Amsterdam” in the world.
Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg was speaking at the launch of the Sarawakku Sayang programme at Sibu Civic Centre here today (Nov 4).
In July this year, while in Sibu, the premier had said the same thing. He had then said the town could become a new “Amsterdam” if a canal system was developed to deal floods in areas like Bukit Assek.
Today, he pointed that the transformation could not be done overnight.
“I have announced what we want to do with Bukit Assek and the central part of Sibu. Trust me, it takes time. Let’s not panic. Kita jangan tergopoh-gopoh.
“I have commissioned local and international consultants who have done projects in Holland, Denmark, and Singapore. They are going to plan for Sibu and it will take time .……. it takes a lot of funds but over a period, we can develop Sibu,” he said.
The premier said he was confident that GPS could transform Sibu just like he had transformed Sibujaya before.
He said so many development plans were already in place including new roads connecting Sibujaya with Kong Yit Khim, a road connecting the Jalan Aman roundabout to Jalan Tunku Abdul Rahman, a road connecting Jalan Ulu Sungai Merah to Jalan Tunku Abdul Rahman and Jalan Teku Pasai Siong to the Kemunyang area.
He also said that Jalan Kong Yit Khim would be turned into a dual carriageway.
Abang Johari, who is also the GPS chairman, stressed that this was not just merely talk.
“The GPS government will be able to implement all these,” he said.
He recalled that when he was Minister of Housing, he had the vision of transforming Sibujaya into the vibrant town it was today.
“If I can turn Sibujaya, I am sure, we, as a team, can transform Sibu itself,” he said.
Abang Johari believed that a bright future awaited Sibu and urged to the people to give a mandate to GPS candidates Clarence Ting and Wong Ching Yong to represent Sarawak in the parliament.
“This time, we have two experienced candidates — Clarence Ting in Sibu and Wong Ching Yong in Lanang — and we must sweep these two seats in the general election,” he said.
Also present were Deputy Premier Datuk Seri Dr Sim Kui Hian, Pelawan assemblyman Michael Tiang, Bukit Assek assemblyman Joseph Chieng NS Nangka assemblyman Datuk Dr Annuar Rapaee.
