Topic: - '08 Visits (Local)
SIBU: Malaysia's first astronaut, Dr Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor or popularly known as 'Dr SMS' will be coming to Sibu on Friday.
Sibu Municipal Council chairman Datuk Tiong Thai King said this at the press conference yesterday at Sibu Municipal Council (SMC), Wisma Sanyan here yesterday.
The press conference was also attended by Sibu police chief ACP Shafie Ismail, Bugin of Sibu Combined Education Department and of JCI Mandarin Sibu president Glyn Ho.
SMC, Sibu Police, Sibu Combined Education Department and JCI Mandarin Sibu are joint organisers of Dr Sheikh's visit to town.
"We are happy to welcome Dr Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor to Sibu this Friday."
"We hope that Dr Sheikh’s visit would motivate students to excel in their studies and also encourage the youths of Sibu to excel in whatever their venture and understandings are."
"We also hope that the students and youths of Sibu will gain a lot of experience and knowledge by interacting with Dr Sheikh," said Datuk Tiong.
In his statement at the same press conference, Bugin confirmed that about 2,000 students from 26 secondary schools in Sibu Division will be able to meet and interact with Dr Sheikh during the astronaut's motivational talk scheduled to be held at SMK Sacred Heart Hall on Sunday.
"These students, from Forms 3, 5 and 6, will be sitting for their respective public examinations this year. In line with the Education Department policy of promoting science and mathematics, it had been decided the attendance ratio would be 60:40 of science to arts students."
"Hopefully, Dr Sheikh's presentation will motivate the students academically," said Bugin.
Dr Sheikh is scheduled to be in Sibu from March 21 – 24.
In the four days, the organisers will arrange many meaningful activities for the Malaysian astronaut.
"Upon his arrival in Sibu, Dr Sheikh will proceed to hold a press conference at Tanahmas. The following morning, Dr Sheikh will make a courtesy call on Second Minister of Finance Dato Sri Wong Soon Koh, Deputy Minister of Housing and Local Government Datuk Robert Lau and SMC chairman Datuk Tiong Thai King."
"On March 23, Dr Sheikh will attend the International Joint Charity Projects at Agape Centre which will also be attended by participants from JCI Taiwan, Singapore and Malaysia districts."
"The highlight of the four-day visit will be the Astronaut Motivation Talk scheduled to be held at SMK Sacred Heart Hall," added Ho.
In anticipation of a large turnout, Sibu police chief said his men would provide security and order. He urged for public cooperation.
According to Shafie, due to his popularity, there were times when Dr Sheikh was mobbed by the crowd at functions.
"Please cooperate with the police to ensure that everything go smoothly and without incident."
"We want to ensure that Dr Sheikh leave Sibu with a good impression," said Shafie.
Source: The Borneo Post Online