SIBU: Sibu is drawing closer to achieving city status after successfully increasing its financial reserves to RM47 million, compared to RM19 million in 2019.

Sibu Municipal Council (SMC) Chairman Clarence Ting Ing Horh stated that one of the main criteria for a local authority to be upgraded to a city is to have at least RM50 million in reserves.

“When I became chairman in 2019, people often asked why Miri could become a city but Sibu could not.

“When I looked at the criteria to become a city, we were only short of two things. First, our bank account was not large enough because the government stipulates a minimum of RM50 million in reserves.

“This year we have reached RM47 million, whereas when I first took office in 2019, we only had RM19 million,” he said.

He said this while speaking at the launch ceremony for the calendar reveal of the WAK Sibu Festival 2026 at the SMC Headquarters in Wisma Sanyan on Tuesday.

He further noted that the second condition that still needs to be met is a population of 300,000 people, which Sibu's population is currently nearing.

However, he emphasized that financial strength is a crucial element because the government cannot support the upgrading of a town if the local authority does not possess a solid financial position.

In the meantime, Clarence Ting said Sibu is also undergoing demographic changes, which he described as a positive development.

He stated that the town, which was once known as a predominantly Chinese community town, is now becoming more diverse with the population growth of various races, particularly the Iban community. — UKASnews

Translator: Ryan Lim