Support for plan to elevate SRDC to municipal council
SIBU: Deputy Chief Minister Dato Sri Dr Sim Kui Hian will support Sibu Rural District Council (SRDC) chairman Sempurai Petrus Ngelai’s aspiration to elevate SRDC to a municipal council within the next 10 years.
Dr Sim, who is Public Health, Housing and Local Government Minister, said SRDC’s jurisdiction covers the fastest population growth area in Sibu from rural to urban areas.
“Managing SRDC encompass the semi-urban and urban areas. That is why I want to throw a challenge to all SRDC councillors and staff that within 10 years from now, I think we should elevate the status of SRDC from that of a district council to a municipal council.
“We will support Sempurai’s aspiration of elevating (SRDC) from district to municipal (council) within 10 years,” said Dr Sim in his speech when officiating at SRDC’s 70th Anniversary Dinner here Saturday.
Earlier, Sempurai in his opening remarks said the way forward for SRDC is for it to achieve municipal council status.
He said SRDC should move in line with Sibu Municipal Council’s (SMC) plan for Sibu to attain city status by 2030, as mentioned by SMC chairman Clarence Ting during the council’s recent 40th anniversary celebration.
Sempurai also spoke about the master plan development for SRDC, which could bring bigger impact to the community in terms of stimulating the local economy, preserving environment sustainability and promoting social wellbeing.
He added that SRDC would continue to seek advice from the Public Health, Housing and Local Government Ministry, Land and Survey Department, and State Planning Authority (SPA) to initiate more people-centric projects.
“There are currently various major projects in planning stages covering Durin, Selangau and Sibujaya.
“On top of that, council will also look into perspectives that may bring tremendous advantages to the people within our jurisdiction including Kemuyang, Rantau Panjang and West Bank, among others,” said Sempurai.
He also said that SRDC is striving to create a sustainable living environment for all community.
“This year, council will be actively promoting bin adoption programme, waste segregation campaign, collection of used cooking oil and used tyres and awareness campaign on communicable diseases such as Covid-19 and rabies among others.”
Founded on Jan 1, 1952, SRDC administers six state constituencies namely Bawang Assan, Dudong, Tamin, Kakus, Nangka and Bukit Assek, with a jurisdiction 25 times larger than SMC’s but with a smaller manpower of about 90 people.