(Sibu, 12th) Delta Leasing Bhd Executive Chairman Dato’ Dr Gregory Hii Sui Cheng stated that Sibu must accelerate the implementation of new industrial and agricultural development plans to revitalize its economic competitiveness and prevent the continued outflow of local talent.
He said that Sibu was once viewed as the second most important city in Sarawak after Kuching, but in terms of development pace and investment growth, it has now fallen behind Miri and Bintulu.
Dr Gregory Hii pointed out that several landmark development projects in the past, including the Rajang Port near the Tua Pek Kong Temple, the Rantau Panjang Shipbuilding Industrial Zone, and the Sarawak University of Technology campus, once made major contributions to Sibu’s economic expansion.
He said that several large-scale projects currently in the planning stages are also expected to further solidify Sibu’s position as the economic hub of Central Sarawak. These include the 323.75-hectare Bukit Assek Redevelopment Plan, a privately initiated Rajang Hospital project, and the 400-meter Second Bridge project connecting Sibu and Sungai Bidut.
“Although these plans will significantly drive economic growth in Sibu and the central region, the overall scale of development still lags behind that of Kuching, Miri, and Bintulu,” he said in an interview with Bernama.
To strengthen Sibu’s future economic status, Dr Gregory Hii supports the Sibu Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s proposal to establish a brand new SME industrial park.
He also suggested developing agricultural zones focusing on large-scale plantation of crops such as tapioca and mushroom cultivation to promote economic diversification and create more employment opportunities.
“Building a larger, specially planned museum would also become a new tourist attraction for Sibu,” he said.
He revealed that the related suggestions had already been submitted to elected representatives and ministers to reflect Sibu’s current challenges, such as reduced air connectivity and private investment growth outpaced by other cities in Sarawak.
“If we don’t keep moving forward, we’ll be left behind. This isn’t good news for the people of Sibu and could result in more locals leaving,” he said.
According to projections for 2026, Sibu’s urban population is expected to be between 189,927 and 198,239, with the rapid growth of the Sibu Jaya residential development making it the region’s main residential hub.
Sibu remains one of the main economic centers in central Sarawak with its diverse population structure as key support, of which the Chinese comprise about 48%, while the remaining 52% are indigenous communities including the Iban, Malay, and Melanau peoples.
However, Sibu still faces several structural challenges, including the outmigration of young talent, flood risks, limited high-income job opportunities, and competition from major cities like Kuching, Miri, and Bintulu.
Dr Gregory Hii said the Bukit Assek Redevelopment Vision is expected to attract the younger generation back to Sibu in the future, while also promoting Sibu’s long-term goal of achieving city status.
He said that Sibu was once viewed as the second most important city in Sarawak after Kuching, but in terms of development pace and investment growth, it has now fallen behind Miri and Bintulu.
Dr Gregory Hii pointed out that several landmark development projects in the past, including the Rajang Port near the Tua Pek Kong Temple, the Rantau Panjang Shipbuilding Industrial Zone, and the Sarawak University of Technology campus, once made major contributions to Sibu’s economic expansion.
“Although these plans will significantly drive economic growth in Sibu and the central region, the overall scale of development still lags behind that of Kuching, Miri, and Bintulu,” he said in an interview with Bernama.
To strengthen Sibu’s future economic status, Dr Gregory Hii supports the Sibu Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s proposal to establish a brand new SME industrial park.
He also suggested developing agricultural zones focusing on large-scale plantation of crops such as tapioca and mushroom cultivation to promote economic diversification and create more employment opportunities.
“Building a larger, specially planned museum would also become a new tourist attraction for Sibu,” he said.
He revealed that the related suggestions had already been submitted to elected representatives and ministers to reflect Sibu’s current challenges, such as reduced air connectivity and private investment growth outpaced by other cities in Sarawak.
“If we don’t keep moving forward, we’ll be left behind. This isn’t good news for the people of Sibu and could result in more locals leaving,” he said.
According to projections for 2026, Sibu’s urban population is expected to be between 189,927 and 198,239, with the rapid growth of the Sibu Jaya residential development making it the region’s main residential hub.
Sibu remains one of the main economic centers in central Sarawak with its diverse population structure as key support, of which the Chinese comprise about 48%, while the remaining 52% are indigenous communities including the Iban, Malay, and Melanau peoples.
However, Sibu still faces several structural challenges, including the outmigration of young talent, flood risks, limited high-income job opportunities, and competition from major cities like Kuching, Miri, and Bintulu.
Dr Gregory Hii said the Bukit Assek Redevelopment Vision is expected to attract the younger generation back to Sibu in the future, while also promoting Sibu’s long-term goal of achieving city status.