SIBU: Sibu is poised to attain city status by end of the year.

The good news was revealed by Local Government and Community Development Minister Dato Sri Wong Soon Koh who has been working quietly towards that direction.

“During his recent visit, the prime minister has agreed in principle to assist us to attain the city status for Sibu. In fact, we can get it done sooner if not for the state election because we don’t have the time to pursue the matter,” Wong told The Borneo Post here yesterday.

He said efforts had been made to make sure that the town fulfilled the criteria set by the Federal Ministry of Local Government, which according to him were stringent.

“Population-wise, we have achieved it because we have a population of half a million when we include greater Sibu which includes Sarikei and Bintangor.”

On the general development of Sibu, Wong, who is also Second Minister of Finance, admitted that the town’s economy was affected by the declining timber industry due to depletion of natural resources but believed it could maintain its economic growth by making the area into an education hub for the central region as well as overseas students.

Citing University College of Technology (UCTS), Laila College, Sarawak Maritime Academy and Woodland International School as examples, Wong said these educational institutions had a multiplier effect in generating economic activities for Sibu.

“Currently UCTS has 1,500 students. In the next five years, we hope to expand our faculties to include other disciplines that will attract at least 5,000 students including overseas students from Asean countries, China and South Korea.

“As the chairman of the university, I have a role to play in the next five years to ensure that the university is a success. Then there is also a plan to set up an industrial park beside the university to provide research and development opportunities for the university.

“The industrial park will be an incubator for entrepreneur spirit which we hope to instil in our students,” said Wong.

Besides education, he said Sibu was in the midst of expanding its tourism potential through laying down basic infrastructure for CAN (culture, adventure and nature) activities focused mainly on the mighty Rajang River.

“To expand our tourism industry, we need air connectivity. We are now fighting hard to have direct flights between Sibu-Kota Kinabalu and Sibu-Singapore.”

Wong who is obviously frustrated by the present “strangling air policy” said Sibu Municipal Council had declared next year as ‘Visit Sibu 2017’ complete with a mascot called ‘Bobo’.

Along with tourism and education, Wong believed Sibu can also capitalise on religious tourism as it has a rich Methodist history and is home to two of the most unique Buddhist temples – the Pagoda and the new Jade Dragon Temple.

Then there is the agriculture industry apart from oil palm plantations in Sibu stretching into Sarikei and Bintagor, he added.

“Sibu and its hinterland have the potential to be developed into a food and fruit basket apart from developing oil palm industry. We have fertile land suitable for growing vegetables and fruits. And on top of that we have ever ready market for them not just in Sibu but also the whole of Sarawak. It is just a matter of putting our priority right,” he emphasised.

He reiterated that Sibu would not be left out of Sarawak Corridor of Renewable Energy (SCORE).

“Sibu can be exciting for the next five to 10 years if the people pool their resources and face the challenges together,” he added.