A clear and committed roadmap for the Bukit Assek redevelopment plan is urgently needed to chart Sibu’s future direction, says Bawang Assan assemblyman Datuk Seri Wong Soon Koh.
He said residents have waited far too long for tangible progress.
“The Bukit Assek area is one of the oldest and most densely built-up zones in Sibu, with ageing infrastructure, flood-prone lowlands and outdated drainage and sanitation systems,” he said when debating the Supply (2026) Bill 2025 at the State Legislative Assembly (DUN) sitting today (Nov 26).
He praised Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian for championing the project and for leading study visits to Singapore, Australia and Europe to learn sustainable urban renewal models.
“Despite all the enthusiasm, the project has not moved into any physical redevelopment stage,” he said, adding that land, legal and financial complexities continue to slow the effort.
Wong recalled that a similar attempt was made in the early 2000s when he and the late Datuk Robert Lau spearheaded an ambitious redevelopment proposal.
“Despite our detailed plan and many months of hard work on the ground, the plan did not take off. I am sure the same challenges we faced then still loom large today,” he said.
He noted that fragmented land ownership had been the core obstacle.
“Without comprehensive land consolidation or compulsory acquisition — which was politically very sensitive at that time — the project could not proceed,” he said.
He added that high costs, uncertain returns, emotional resistance, environmental issues and infrastructure challenges further stalled progress, while technology and state funding were not as strong then as they are today.
“Two decades later, the structural issues remain largely the same. However, today there are better tools, more funding capacity and stronger governance frameworks that could make a difference,” he said.
Wong stressed that the project carries high expectations from Sibu residents, who have long endured recurring floods and urban decay.
“It is important that the government now moves beyond studies and consultations and communicates a clear roadmap and timeline to reassure affected residents and ensure public confidence,” he said.
He emphasised that redeveloping Bukit Assek is more than an urban renewal effort.
“It is a test of Sibu’s future direction and the government’s ability to deliver on its promises to rejuvenate the heart of Sibu town,” he said.
Wong also highlighted critical water supply issues in Sibu, citing ageing and damaged pipelines that have resulted in non-revenue water losses of up to 46 per cent.
Frequent pipe bursts, he said, have caused water disruptions lasting from several hours to several days in some areas.
He noted that Sibu Water Board’s production capacity of 195 million litres per day is already equal to peak demand, leaving virtually no buffer.
“As Sibu grows, demand is nearing existing capacity,” he said, adding that a new RM300 million treatment plant—expected only by mid-2027—will take time before it eases the problem.
In the meantime, Wong urged the government to provide immediate solutions for the shipyard zones in Rantau Panjang, which include more than 35 shipbuilding sites, 500 residential units and several longhouses.
“These areas are among the worst affected by frequent water supply problems,” he said.
He proposed the construction of an acute treatment plant, similar to the facility built in Sungai Sadit.
“This is of paramount importance because shipbuilding activities contribute immensely to the economy of not just Sibu but also Sarawak,” he said.
