The United Chinese Association (UCA) is embarking on a quest to get a new Chinese name for Sibu town, said association president Lau Nai Hoh.

He said the association would organise a competition for that purpose, adding that the current English name would remain.

"Sibu is known as 'Shi Wu' in Chinese. However, 'Wu' means witch in Chinese. This is quite inappropriate.

"Attractive prizes await those coming up with the best name," he said at a dinner here last night, to celebrate the success of the 9th Borneo Cultural Festival (BCF) recently.

Lau said the issue pertaining to a new name for Sibu was discussed with state environment and public health minister Datuk Sri Wong Soon Koh and other leaders.

He noted that Sibu was often confused with the Philippines city of Cebu.

On the cultural festival, he said its next segment would be promoted in China via a tourist guide from there, who had witnessed the festival last month.

- Bernama