FESTIVE JOY: Wong (second right) cuts sticky rice cake with (from left) organising chairman Eric Chiew, Chung Tiew and Tiong.
SIBU: The Sarawak Kutien Association has proposed that a road here be named after their clan elder, the late Temenggong Datuk Ting Lik Hung, in recognition of his contribution to the state and nation.
During an association Chinese New Year dinner on Monday, Second Minister of Finance Dato Sri Wong Soon Koh said he and Sibu Municipal Council (SMC) chairman Datuk Tiong Thai King would study the proposal from the clan, which is a Foochow sub-clan.
Dedicating a road to an influential person, he said, was not only a means to remember the person but also to show gratitude for his contribution to society.
“For the descendants of the Chinese community, there were a lot of leaders who led the community towards progress,” he said.
Because of their will, determination and hard work, Wong said, their descendants today reaped fruits both socially and economically.
During the dinner, clan president Wong Chung Tiew said a road should be named after Ting because he was also a founder of Hock Hua Bank and a paramount community leader.
“Because of his far-sightedness, he led the clan association to invest in the banking industry.
“Today, we are to set up various foundations to care for our members and their families, like the education foundation, welfare foundation and a foundation for senior citizens.”
Chung Tiew said Ting also helped to lift Sibu to greater heights.
“He has the respect of Kutien descendants and the people of Sibu today. For his spirit, therefore, we wish to recommend naming a road in Sibu after him to show our gratitude and to remember him.”
Chung Tiew also named the late Ting Kwong Tou, one of the first settlers from China, as another outstanding leader.
“Sarawak Kutien Association was formed more than eight decades ago. Our forefathers had worked hard, and today, the descendants not only enjoy a good and fruitful life, the clan association has been rooted in a solid foundation,” he said.
He added that the clan had erected statues of both leaders in the Kutien Home of Love in recognition of their contribution.