KUCHING: The coming 17th Kuching Inter-Cultural Mooncake Festival will have an ‘international feel’ with some participants coming from Indonesia.
The event’s co-organising chairman Sim Kiang Chiok said the committee was pleased to confirm the participation of the Republic of Indonesia via the assistance and coordination with the Consul General of the Republic here in Kuching.
“We are receiving the participation of Himpu (Himpunan Pelaku usaha mikro Kecil and Menengah Kota Pontianak) a business NGO from the Republic.
“We are happy to be making the acquaintance of businesses from Indonesia and we hope the spirit of unity that we espouse in this event will help cement our already great relationship with our neighbours and friends from across the border whilst the event will have an ‘international’ feel,” he said yesterday.
Sim also announced that the committee recently paid a courtesy call on Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah where he and joint chairperson Amy Tnay briefed the minister on this year’s event.
“He was thoroughly pleased with the treatment of the event, praising the painstaking effort of enthusiastic volunteers. He encouraged the committee to continue with efforts to foster and work on unity amongst the races here in Sarawak.
“This event is truly intercultural and a good tourist product for foreign, domestic tourists and for all local residents. It’s is in keeping with the government’s policy of moderation, showcasing understanding, peace and harmony among the various races in Sarawak,” he said.
He also mentioned the event has been promoting the slogan “Sight, Sound and Taste” all these years and it has become more than just a slogan in that the event has transformed from a Malay- Chinese unity event, into a Sarawakian multicultural and unity-in-diversity event.
The event will kick off next Monday (Sept 17) and will conclude on Sept 24. According to Sim, they are anticipating a larger crowd this year and over 100 trading booths have confirmed their participation.
“Coupled with our international guests’ booths, new items and new venues such as Bishopgate Street and Wayang Street, we see a potential increase in visitors for the upcoming eight-day event,” he said.