Sibu In The Blue Ocean - Part 20

After agri-business, Tan Kee Hian moved on to the third strategy for Sibu, namely Hub for Mass Tourism.

Tourism is really a very old topic here in Sibu. We have been talking about it for donkey's years (from my memory, something like twenty years) and yet nothing very fruitful has come up from the rhetoric.

As I am in the hospitality line, tourism is obviously my concern. When I learned that Kee Hian was going to touch on it, I was very much excited.

Sibu as a hub for mass tourism should be the dream of all Sibuians. Kee Hian based his vision on the following:

1. There is increasing global interest in sustainable and eco-friendly activities (example, leisure).
2. Sibu has much to offer in back-to-nature attractions, local culture and unique history.
3. The conventional approach has been to adopt a niche strategy:
-Small scale, customised operations
-Sophisticated, but dispersed target customers
-Incremental economic benefits at the State level
4. Uncontested market space is:
-Create a business model for mass tourism

I copied the above picture from Meng Lei's blog. The photo was taken with Liong's camera at a teh tarik session at Premier Hotel in the afternoon on the third day of The 9th Methodist Convention. One waitress was kind enough to offer to snap for us. But little did she know that the camera was so sophisticated that she let it run non-stop, making everybody burst into laughters. It was a wonderful scene well captured. Front row, left to right: Philip Hii, Tan Kee Hian & Steve Ling. Back row, left to right: Liong, Miao Ting, me & Meng Lei.

Sibu In The Blue Ocean - Part 19

As Tan Kee Hian pointed out, agri-business is a viable venture that Sibu may go into to take Little Foochow to the next cycle of development.

The building blocks (components) for the agri-business are as follows:

1. Intense application of science and technology in the business.
2. Large scale, industrialised operations.
3. On-going applied R&D and buildup of knowledge on agri-business.
4. Qualified and experienced professional and semi-professional resources in technical, scientific and management domains.
5. Supporting industry eco-system including human resources development.

The picture shows Chang Jee Ren giving a response to Kee Hian's talk. The other respondent was Rev. Dr. Tie King Tai. From left to right: Judy Wong, Chang Jee Ren, Hii Ching Chiong, Tan Kee Hian & Rev. Dr Tie. Photo: Terrence Tan of MPI

Sibu In The Blue Ocean - Part 18

Tan Kee Hian's vision for agri-business hub in Sibu is really a motivation for Sibuians. With Sibu blessed with huge arable land, agri-business provides a hope for Sibu.

Kee Hian in his talk viewed Sibu as potentially viable to be:

1. A recognised Centre of Excellence/Knowledge for agri-business in Malaysia and the region.
2. Food and agri products have potentials to become a major engine of economic growth and social development for Sibu and Sarawak.
3. Some Sibu-based thriving agri-business corporations.
4.View Sibu as having young people with perceptions of agri-business as an attractive career.

The photo shows the two sponsots of the public forum (George Ha & William Tang, second & third from left). Photo: Terrence Tan of MPI

Sibu In The Blue Ocean - Part 17

Tan kee Hian also viewed Sibu as a potential Agri-business Hub. Simply put, agricultural industries can lift Sibu up to a higher level of growth. This vision is certainly not without bases. Kee Hian based his proposition on the following observations:

1. The world is presently facing food shortage.
2. West Malaysia is running out of arable land.
3. Singapore has to source food supplies from faraway Africa and South America.
4. There is growing demand for Halal food and it is underserved.
5. Sarawak is blessed with lands, rivers and coastlines.
6. Therefore, this unmet market needs for large scale supply of food and agricultural products.

That is precisely where Sibu can come in.

The photo shows Mr. Chang Jee Ren, Chairman of MPI's Board, presenting a memento to Mr. Tan Kee Hian. Looking on is Mr. Hii Ching Chiong, Lay Leader of SCAC. Photo: Terrence Tan of MPI

Sibu In The Blue Ocean - Part 16

Moving on from the Vision for Gerontology in Sibu, Tan Kee Hian then touched on the Building Blocks for Gerontology. According to Kee hian, the following are the components for Gerontology in Sibu:

1. Lifestyle community for active ageing.
2. Ageing in place.
3. Nursing homes and day centres.
4. Specialised medical and healthcare professionals and staff.
5. Trained caregivers, therapists and social workers.
6. Business and community leaders as champions.
7. Educational institution focused on gerontology.

Photo: Terrence Tan of MPI

Sibu In The Blue Ocean - Part 15

Tan Kee Hian said there is certainly money to be made in the Grey (Silver) Market, but it takes thought.

Kee Hian's vision for Gerontology in Sibu is based on the following:

1. Sibu as a Centre of Excellence for Gerontology in Malaysia and the region.
2. Elderly can "live their life to the fullest".
3. Access to active ageing programmes and activities.
4. Credible experts, trained resources and well-equipped care centres.
5. Elderly-friendly homes and products based on universal design.
6. Barrier-free facilities and access in public areas.
7. High level of awareness of and respect for the needs of the elderly.

Photo: Liong

Sibu In The Blue Ocean - Part 14

The first Blue Ocean Strategy that Tan Kee Hian raised to spur Sibuians on deeper thinking for the sake of Sibu is Centre of Excellence for Gerontology.

1. In reality, ageing population is a global phenomenon.

2. But the situation in Sibu is more acute than in the rest of Malaysia, as a result of the "Sibu Diaspora" (meaning the movement of Sibuians away from their hometown).

3. This Centre shall not be dependent on proximity to natural resources and foreign markets.

4. Gerontology has very little attention in Malaysia yet, unlike Singapore.

5. This Centre forms Path 6 in the framrwork consisting of time and trends for creating uncontested market space.

6. Sibu as a Centre of Excellence for Gerontology is really an uncontested market space. It is, therefore, a Blue Ocean Approach.

The picture shows Councilor Robert Lau Hui Yew (left) and Hii Chang Kee, SMC Secretary. Photo: Liong