SIBU: Sibu Municipal Council (SMC) chairman Datuk Tiong Thai King and his deputy Datuk Andrew Wong Kee Yew yesterday afternoon signed out as their last day of work at their office on the 24th floor of Wisma Sanyan here.
Tiong has been SMC chairman for the past 12 years while Wong held the post for the past two and half years.
It is still not known who will take over their duties.
SUPP Sibu office, when contacted, said they did not receive any notice nor had any indication as to the appointment of the next batch of councillors, deputy chairman and chairman for the next term.
The term for the councillors for SMC expired yesterday.
Displaying his usual gentleness and calmness during an interview late yesterday afternoon, Tiong said he would move some of his documents to his private office at the 25th floor of Wisma Sanyan.
He said his biggest regret was his failure to solve the littering and parking problems that had been plaguing the town till this day.
He believed it was due to his soft-hearted nature and kindness and put the blame partly on the stubbornness and attitude of Sibu people.
“The people of Sibu ought to change their attitude, otherwise it will be impossible to upgrade the image of the town,” he said at the interview.
He said he had proposed that the fine for littering be increased as a deterrent which was not agreed to by the committee.
As such, he said the people continued with their could-not-care attitude and kept on discarding rubbish as they liked.
He said Singapore was able to portray a clean and tidy image because of the good attitude of its citizens.
“It’s hard to emulate them but the people really ought to change to upgrade the status of Sibu town.”
Tiong further said several areas of Sibu needed refurbishment, rebuilding and redevelopment to give the town a facelift.
“If nothing is done in these areas, it will be hard for Sibu to grow.”
For Wong, the flamboyant outgoing deputy chairman, his biggest regret is his failure to uplift Sibu to city status.
“In fact, I can see it coming and if given one more year, I am confident that Sibu will attain city status.”
Nevertheless, Wong said he was happy that he was able to upgrade the roads during his short two and half years stint, which he described as his biggest achievement.
“During this short period, I have looked into works to upgrade and improve about 600 roads in Sibu Division,” he said.
Wong said he would take a rest before deciding on his next step.
He hoped that whoever took over the post would continue with the uncompleted works set by him and the chairman.