SIBU: Chief Minister Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud will spend three days here to share the aspiration of development in line with his Chinese New Year goodwill visit beginning next Tuesday — the third day of the festival.

Among the highlights of the visit will be his visits to the homes of two local residents, which are now being arranged.

Second Finance Minister Dato Sri Wong Soon Koh said the details of the visits to the families of the ordinary folk would be announced later.

“Apart from sharing festive joy with the Chinese families, the chief minister will also meet folk of rural Penasut and Dudong. He is also expected to reach out to thousands of people during the three-day visit.”

Wong, who is also Minister of Local Government and Community Development, said Taib would arrive here Tuesday afternoon after a visit to Miri on Monday.

He is expected to dine with the families of KTS managing director Dato Henry Lau and community leader Temenggong Vincent Lau on his first day here.

“On Wednesday morning, he will visit several local Chinese families including prominent businessmen and politicians.”

The chief minister will lunch at Datuk Tiong Thai King’s residence and later a dinner at his (Soon Koh) residence here.

On Thursday morning, the chief minister would visit the site of College University of Sarawak near Laila Taib College before proceeding to Penasut to meet the longhouse folk at the community hall. He would then proceed to Sibu Civic Centre to meet the folk from Dudong.

“He will have lunch with the family of prominent businessman Datuk Tiong Su Kuok, and later a dinner at Kingwood Hotel with the Chinese community which is arranged by Sibu United Chinese Associations.”

Wong went on to say that SUPP Sibu Branch would hold its open house at the civic centre here on Sunday — the first day of the Chinese New year — from 10am to 1pm.

Lanang MP Datuk Tiong Thai King, Temenggong Vincent Lau, himself and several others would be leading the party to share the festive joy with the people.