SIBU: Sibu needs to accelerate new industrial and agricultural development initiatives to regain its economic competitiveness and prevent further outmigration of local talent, according to Delta Leasing Bhd executive chairman, Dr Gregory Hii Sui Cheng.
He said Sibu, once regarded as Sarawak’s second most important town after Kuching, has now fallen behind Miri and Bintulu in terms of development pace and investment growth.
Hii said several landmark developments in the past, including Rajang Port near the Tua Pek Kong Temple, the Rantau Panjang shipbuilding zone and the University of Technology Sarawak campus, had contributed significantly to the town’s economic expansion.
He said several major projects currently in the pipeline were also expected to strengthen Sibu’s role as an economic hub for central Sarawak, including the proposed 323.75-hectare Bukit Assek redevelopment plan, the privately initiated Rejang Hospital project and the proposed 400-metre second bridge linking Sibu to Sungai Bidut.
“Although these projects will contribute immensely to the economic growth of Sibu and the central region, the scale of development still trails behind Kuching, Miri and Bintulu,” he told Bernama.
To strengthen Sibu’s future economic position, Dr Hii supported the proposal by the Sibu Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCCI) for the establishment of a new small and medium enterprise (SME) industrial estate.
He also proposed the development of an agricultural park, focusing on large-scale crop cultivation, including tapioca and mushroom farming, to diversify the local economy and create more employment opportunities.
“A bigger purpose-built museum would also be an added attraction for Sibu,” he said.
According to him, these proposals had been submitted to elected representatives and ministers amid concerns over reduced air connectivity and slower private investment growth compared with cities in Sarawak.
“Unless we move forward, we will find ourselves left behind. That will not be good for Sibuans and may lead to more outward migration of the local population,” he said.
Based on 2026 projections, Sibu’s urban population is estimated at between 189,927 and 198,239, with Sibu Jaya continuing to record rapid residential growth and emerging as a key housing hub in the region.
The town remains one of the main economic centres in central Sarawak, supported by its diverse demographic composition, comprising approximately 48 per cent Chinese and 52 per cent Bumiputera communities, including Iban, Malay and Melanau.
However, Sibu continues to face several structural challenges, including the outmigration of young talent, flood risks, limited high-income employment opportunities and competition from larger urban centres such as Kuching, Miri and Bintulu.
Dr Hii said the Bukit Assek redevelopment vision could play an important role in attracting younger generations back to Sibu while supporting long-term aspirations for the town to achieve city status in the future. – BERNAMA
