Chung (middle, back row) posing for group photo with the winners. — Photos by Chimon Upon
KUCHING: The principal of the Futuristic Tuition Centre, Goh Lee Lee was adjudged the first prize winner of the inaugural ‘Kuching For Me’ essay writing contest organised by Vanadium Land Sdn Bhd.
Goh, who is also a sales engineer, received her cash prize of RM5,000 at the prize presentation ceremony held at Imperial Hotel Kuching on Thursday night.
The ‘Kuching For Me’ contest was aimed at allowing netizens here to share their thoughts and experience in this Cat City.
“And because of this, it inspired me to join this contest with the thought of sharing my life journey which is full of bitter, sour, spicy and sweet moments that actually build up my character and personality to what I am today, “ said Goh, who vowed to spend some of her prize to treat her friends and also donate to charity.
In second place was SMK Pending teacher Sim Siaw Phing, who took home RM2,500 cash prize and third was wildlife biologist Cynthia Chin who won herself RM1,000 cash.
Over 100 Kuchingites aged 16 to 70 years took part in the contest over the last two months to share their stories on Kuching. The contest was also arguably the first such platform for Kuching residents to relate the many treasures of memories and beautiful stories of this state capital city.
The winners were selected through a public vote opening from October 19 to November 1.
Twenty-seven other entries received consolation prizes of RM100 cash each.
Vanadium Land Group CEO Dato Chris Chung said the property developer company will continue with the ‘Kuching For Me’ initiative.
We hope that ‘Kuching For Me’ contest has inspired Kuchingites to take a moment to think about what the city means to them and based on that inspire all of us to take a new approach and move towards a brighter future for Kuching.
“Through this contest, we realised that our role as a developer is meaningful only when we build something that represents the spirit and identity of Kuching and help to bring people of Kuching together. We agree with so many of you that Sarawak is really a paradise, a place where nature, identities and people co-exist in harmony,” he shared.
He also disclosed that Vanadium Land is developing a ‘dreamland’ that will become an iconic landmark in Kuching.
“Vanadium is developing something different for Kuchingites. Through the essay competition, we get some messages about what Kuching people want and we will absorb the ideas in our future projects.
He said Vanadium has started a major project last year in Taman BDC Stampin on a land of over 200 acres.
“This is going to change Kuching. It will be a place of everything: medical hub, commercial shops, shopping malls, residential and high street commercial hub with eco-friendly design and so on. It is an integrated place that is convenient and people will be proud of it.
“It will be a must-go place for locals and tourists. Education, health, fitness, livings, lifestyle, arts, entertainment and more. You name it, we have it. It is something everyone should anticipate,” he said.