(From left) Abang Johari, Nansian, Daud and others check items at the exhibition hall. — Photo by Chimon Upon
KUCHING: Sibu will be declared as the state’s third city once it has met all the necessary criteria.
Housing Minister Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg said the matter had been in the pipeline for quite sometimes but how soon it would become one would depend on when the criteria were met.
He told reporters this after representing Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem at the opening of a seminar on ‘Towards Socially and Culturally Vibrant Cities and Towns for the Southern Zone’ here yesterday.
He said an application for Sibu to be given city status had been submitted to the authorities concerned for quite sometimes.
Meanwhile, when asked to comment on the chief minister’s statement on the use of English language for official correspondence and communication in the state, Abang Johari, who is also Tourism Minister, said it was not a new thing in Sarawak.
“Under the Malaysia Agreement we are free to use dual languages and that has never been changed. Actually, what the chief minister was saying is to let it remain a status quo. There’s nothing new. I think he just wanted to clear the ambiguity among certain people when it comes to official correspondence.
“Actually our policy allows the use of either English or Bahasa Malaysia for official correspondence and communication but it is up to individuals whichever languages they prefer,” he said.
He said a person was allowed to use a language he found easier to communicate with and also depending on their audience.
“I believe the chief minister also wanted to stress that people can use English when corresponding with government agencies. For example, developers who used to write to us officially in Bahasa Malaysia can now write in English instead.
“There’s no problem about that. They can write in whichever language is easier and better for them be it English or Bahasa Malaysia,” he added.
Assistant Minister of Community Services Datuk Peter Nansian, Assistant Minister in the Chief Minister’s Office (Islamic Affairs) Datuk Daud Abdul Rahman and permanent secretary to the Ministry of Local Government and Community Development Datu Dr Pengguang Manggil were also present at the interview with Abang Johari yesterday.