More modern-looking boat terminal in the offing
SIBU: The two-storey Sibu Express Boat Terminal will be modernised to allow for a more systematic passenger flow and provide greater comfort for commuters, Sarawak Rivers Board ( SRB) Sibu ( Region II) assistant controller Hatta Morshidi disclosed yesterday.
“The major facelift, when completed, will give the passenger terminal a more modern look,” he said, adding that the renovation works will be carried out in stages.
“The design drawings are all ready but pending some administrative matters to be sorted sometime next month,” Hatta said when met at the terminal here.
Asked on the new features, he said the existing space ( leading to the departure area) will be turned into a VIP lounge and public gallery.
Also, the existing enforcement office
The major facelift, when completed, will give the passenger terminal a more modern look.
Hatta Morshidi, Sarawak Rivers Board (SRB) Sibu (Region II) assistant controller
on the ground floor will be moved to the first floor, which currently houses a restaurant.
According to Hatta, once the enforcement office has been relocated, the space will be converted into a convenience store.
“Those bound for immediate boarding will also be segregated from those waiting for boat arrival.”
Touching on the Gawai Dayak operations, he expected the ‘ balik kampung’ crowd to start from today.
“We expect the crowds to swell tomorrow (today), being the start of the mid-term school holiday,” he said.
Asked on extra boat trips, he disclosed that there had been no request from express boat operators thus far.
Meanwhile, the first phase of the state-wide operation for Gawai Dayak celebration starts today and runs till May 31, while the second phase is from June 8 to 10.
It involves other relevant departments and agencies such as the police (14 personnel), Marine Police (five personnel and a boat), Sarawak Marine Department ( 21 personnel and two boats), Malaysia Civil Defence Force (APM) with eight personnel, People’s Volunteer Corps ( Rela) with 12 personnel, Ministry of Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism with seven personnel and Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency ( MMEA).