SIBU: More than 5,000 people thronged the Sapphire East Business Precinct at SibuJaya to enjoy the opening sights, sounds and flavours of the Fun 5 Carnival recently.
Jointly hosted by Sibu Rural District Council (SRDC) and the township’s master developer Distrepark Sdn Bhd with event management firm Embun Kiara, this was the second year the event was held.
SRDC chairman Sempurai Petrus Ngelai in his opening speech, praised the developer for its effort to build houses and commercial buildings to landscaping and creating events for the people.
He added that SRDC would always support creative and innovative efforts from developers.
“We want a clean and green township. SRDC is committed to seeing the realisation of the “Green Lung” and “Green Belt” in SibuJaya,” he said, referring to the township’s masterplan that has incorporated a massive green space supported by a meandering green belt to ensure SibuJaya does not fall into the trap of becoming a concrete jungle.
SRDC also hopes that residents can take ownership of SibuJaya by adopting a protective attitude towards public facilities such as landscaping, street lighting and parks. By working together, vandalism can be kept at bay.
In a related matter, Distrepark’s assistant general manager Eddy Puah, said for this year, the 13-day event was made more unique by the focus on the five oriental elements of metal, wood, water, fire and earth.
“As the chairman has so correctly highlighted unity is one of the cornerstone of our society. The five elements were used to reflect the symbiotic relationships between all of us, irrespective of creed and religion,” Puah said.
Just as the five elements needed each other to thrive, society also needed her people to be united in order to thrive, he added.
https://www.thestar.com.my/metro/metro-news/2018/08/24/developers-initiative-gets-the-thumbs-up
Five-star SibuJaya carnival in the limelight
SIBU: The thriving township of SibuJaya has leapt to the fore with a series of fun events over the last week, gaining it the distinction of being a fun, cool and vibrant place.
The ongoing Ambang Merdeka SibuJaya Fun 5 carnival, has ramped up excitement for the locals, who have happily embraced both the fun and meaningful aspects of the event.
Magdeline Nesha, who is one of the contestants at the Fun 5 pageant, said she was taken in by the eloquent manner in which the five elements were used to represent harmonious co-existence and unity.
“In the beginning, we thought it was just an event with five fun things to do. But as the narrative of the event unfolded, I saw the deeper significance of what the five elements were and what they signified. Simply put, we must understand that all of us are inter-connected to one another in more ways than one. And that we enrich each other just like the five elements of metal, wood, water, fire and earth which nurture and enriched one another,” she said.
On the fun aspect, fellow contestant Relina Yik said she has never been to a water fiesta let alone a fire fiesta. “The carnival’s rides and games and food are lovely but the water and fire fiesta pushed this year’s event to the next level,” she said, adding that she hoped that more people would come to SibuJaya on Aug 31 and share the excitement and fun together.
With almost a week left to the end of the carnival, the highlights today is the finals of the Miss Fun 5 pageant and the fire fiesta, while there is a water fiesta and a blood donation campaign tomorrow, spearheaded by United People Activity Centre.
Local Government and Housing Minister, Datuk Dr Sim Kui Hian is expected to officiate at the opening of SibuJaya master developer, Distrepark Sdn Bhd’s new sales gallery and then plant the 8,888th tree in the beautiful landscaped township.
https://www.thestar.com.my/metro/metro-news/2018/08/30/fivestar-sibujaya-carnival-in-the-limelight
Proposal for SRDC to have own office in Sibu Jaya gets minister’s nod
SIBU: Minister of Local Government and Housing Datuk Dr Sim Kui Hian assures Sibu Rural District Council (SRDC) of his strong support for it to have its own administrative building in Sibu Jaya.
Currently, the SRDC office is in Wisma Sanyan and according to the Local Authority Ordinance, the office of a council must be in its own jurisdiction.
“As I said previously, it (the office) should always be in the location where you run your ‘kawasan’ (area).
“Normally, if you are the council, you should enforce own rules in your own ‘kawasan’.
“(In this regard) the SRDC office is currently not situated in the ‘kawasan’ where they can enforce their own rules.
“I strongly support their (SRDC) proposal to have their own administrative building in their own ‘kawasan’. Various drawings have been shown; once they are done, submit them to the state (government) for funding. We need to look at the funding, but given that Sibu Jaya is situated at such an important location, with the (Sibu) Airport and Pan Borneo Highway nearby, I think we need to give them good administrative facilities so that they can truly build a community here that people in Sibu can be proud of – one (equipped with) facilities for recreational and religious use, for schools and also healthcare – all around here,” Dr Sim told reporters after officiating at the opening ceremony of Distrepark Sdn Bhd’s new sales gallery and also the planting of the 8,888th tree in this township.
Distrepark is the master developer of Sibu Jaya.
Adding on, Dr Sim viewed SRDC as one the major rural district councils that could be elevated to a municipal council, partly in view of the rapid growth in population there.
However, the minister also said for this to happen, there would be other criteria as well.
“Once, you reach a certain population level, it (district) becomes a municipality – just like Kota Samarahan (Municipal Council), which was previously a district council.
“There are criteria to follow, but with the 5,000 new houses coming up and the Pan Borneo Highway (development), as well as other low-cost housing projects around here, I am very sure that you (SRDC) would be able to reach the municipal council (status),” said the minister.
Meanwhile, SRDC deputy chairman Robert Lau disclosed that the proposed SRDC building would sit on a four-acre land, adding that the previously-estimated cost to build the four-storey structure was RM15 million.
In this regard, he expressed his hope for the Sarawak government to fund the project, in view of SRDC ‘not having that much money’.
Distrepark assistant general manager Eddy Puah and SRDC assistant secretary Hiu Kee Sing witnessed the opening ceremony.
https://www.theborneopost.com/2018/09/01/proposal-for-srdc-to-have-own-office-in-sibu-jaya-gets-ministers-nod/
