Lau (sixth left) in a photo call with the recipients of awards and association’s committee members. On Lau’s right is Hii.
Hii giving out angpows to the children.
Lau witnessing the signing of the oath by Hii.
SIBU: Temenggong Vincent Lau called on the residents of Teku Road to gear up for the next wave of development being planned in their neighbourhood.
Speaking at the Chinese New Year dinner cum installation of Sungai Teku, Aup and Pasai Community Association at a restaurant yesterday, Lau, who was the guest of honour, said development was mushrooming with town planning and infrastructure development extended to the area.
He said with development projects unfolding there, the residents must make the area a harmonious settlement.
“It began with the building of Laila Taib College and now a university – University College of Technology Sarawak – which is being built.
“Coming soon will be a research park in the university, IT library and an indoor stadium,” he said.
Lau noted that people were starting to move in, and this included peoples of all races.
Therefore, he said the residents must reach out to each other in friendship.
He also warned that tensions had mounted in the country which might affect national stability.
“This has come about after the general election last year. There are now racial and religious tensions. In the opening of 2014, the ‘Allah’ issue added to the tensions. We are saddened.”
As such, the people must treasure the racial and religious harmony in the country, he said, adding this was not achieved easily.
“Let us reach out with mutual respect and be willing to forgive. Only when nation building is rooted in harmony and solidarity can our country progress.”
He also praised the association for its role in community building.
Meanwhile the association chairman Hii Leong Teck when speaking at the gathering, assured that the association had always been the bridge between the people and the government to bring about development.
He said as their neighbourhood will be opened up for development, there were certain issues to look into to improve their environment.
“Security has been a concern here. It has deteriorated. Reports of snatching and property thefts are rampant. This has caused anxiety among the people.”
He also said there was also a need to improve street lighting to brighten up the area and that heavy vehicles plying the area had caused the road condition to deteriorate.
“Let us continue working together for a better Year of the Horse.”
During the gathering, Lau witnessed the installation of association’s community.
The association also gave out cash incentives to children of members who excelled in the public examination.
Angpows were also given out to children.