Yek and Ding (fifth and sixth left respectively) presenting ang pows to the old folk at Caring Home of Kutien Sibu.
SIBU: Local youths are called to join Sarawak Kutien Association (SKA) to make it more relevant in this modern era.
President Yek Tiew Chong lamented that the majority of members were those from the older generation.
“Even those who registered recently are those from the older generation. I’m afraid that one day, the association would be left with no new leaders to take the helm from the old ones, which could result in its ‘extinction’,” he said after a mass ang pow presentation for senior citizens at Caring Home of Kutien here yesterday.
As such, Yek urged current members to recruit the ‘young blood’ of their families for the association.
“This body was set up to look out for the welfare and interest of the Kutien community, and at the same time help them to contribute towards nation-building.
“In this respect, we must strive to keep the association stronger and more productive in years to come. As such, we need more energetic and enthusiastic members to be groomed into becoming its future leaders.”
On the mass ang pow presentation involving more than 380 senior citizens, Yek said it was one way for the association to honour and appreciate these veterans who had sacrificed so much to ensure that their children and grandchildren would have a better, more secured future.
“It (presenting ang pows) is part of our Chinese culture and we should forever value it. Moreover, we should care for our senior citizens who had contributed much in the past so that we all caould have a better life today.
“This said, I would like to advise our old folks to take care of their health so that they would continue to lead longer and happier lives.”
SKA honorary president Datuk Ding Lian Cheon and Dato’ Paduka Yong Chui Kui were also present at the programme.