CONTRIBUTION: Chan (second right) presenting a contribution to a representative from Sarawak Hun Nam Siang T’ng, witnessed by Wong (third left). Also seen (from left) are Sim, Mohamad Taufik and MBKS acting Secretary John Lee.
KUCHING: More than 800,000 people, including tourists, patronised Kuching Festival 2012!
Minister of Local Government and Community Development Dato Sri Wong Soon Koh said the festival could be the mother of all festivals in the state so far in terms of attendance.
“I totally agree with councillor Mohamad Taufik Abdul Ghani who informed me that this festival is probably the
biggest festival ever organised in the state. It is perhaps bigger than the Rainforest World Music Festival, particularly when we could attract the domestic crowd,” he said at the Kuching Festival Charity Night 2012 on Sunday.
Among those present were Kuching City South mayor James Chan, organising chairmen of Kuching Festival 2012, Mohamad Taufik and councillor Sim Thong Poh, Temenggong Lu Kim Yong and other community leaders.
Wong, who is also Second Minister of Finance, congratulated Chan and his team for organising the festival this year.
In his speech, Chan said it was the responsibility of Kuching South City Council (MBKS) to organise the event for the enjoyment of not only locals but tourists.
He added that while MBKS basked in the glory of having organised Kuching Festival 2012, it did not forget to give back to society.
“Charity is all from the heart. We cannot give with the hope of getting things in return. When we give to charity, it is for the needy.
“With that in mind, that was why I wrote to every stall owner at Kuching Festival to ask if they could contribute a little bit of their earnings to charity. I did not force them because it is not right to force people to contribute to charity.”
Chan said he had proposed to council members that the top donor be automatically included in next year’s Kuching Festival, and have the privilege of picking the location for their stall.
Wong said the state government was all for the local community to be actively involved in social and charitable works.
“Social work in the past was very different from today’s social work. In the olden days, food was scarce, money was hard to come by, employment few, medical facilities were lacking, and many people lived in poverty.
“But with economic development, with Sarawak getting more prosperous, people have become better off and many of the problems of old are no longer there. But of course there remain people who are less fortunate, disadvantaged or need help. In any society, even in the developed world, there are such people.”
Wong said he was glad there were many who willingly chipped in to the charity fund created by MBKS.
“Both the federal and state governments are doing their best in terms of social welfare, but NGOs (non-governmental organisations), the private sector and individuals can complement what the government is doing.
“The amount of money is not important. It is the kind gesture, caring attitude and helping hand that counts.”
At the event, MBKS presented a total of RM24,755.20 contributed by all stallholders of Kuching Festival 2012 to eight organisations – Che Hia Khor Moral Uplifting Society Sarawak (RM2,000); Sarawak Women for Women Society (RM3,000); The Carnation Club of Kuching and Samarahan (RM3,000); Taiwan Buddhist Tze Chi Foundation Malaysia (RM3,000); Sarawak Hun Nam Siang T’ng (RM4,755.20); Sarawak Society For The Blind (RM3,000); Sarawak Society For The Deaf (RM3,000); and Sarawak Breast Cancer Support Group (RM3,000).
The biggest donor for the double-stall category was Mango Tree, while that for the single stall was Wan Kwong Yaw, and half-stall category (Goh Kim Lian).
For the most beautiful food stall competition, Bangkok Thai Seafood Restaurant won in the double stall category, Lim Chuan Chan for single stall, and Phua Kit Nang for half stall.