NEXT HOST: Wong (centre) witnessing the passing of Kuching Fest flag from Abdul Wahap to Chan during the closing of Kuching Fest 2011 on Saturday night.
KUCHING: City folk should participate actively in sports and community-based activities because it can elevate a sense of pride and compassion for the city.
Minister of Local Government and Community Development Dato Sri Wong Soon Koh said yesterday that when there’s greater interaction with each other, the city would have character and warmth.
“Therefore, I would like to appeal to the people of Kuching that you ought to have this Kuching ‘heart beat’.
“In order words, all of us should feel passionate about our city and should be compassionate enough to get ourselves actively involved in creating a better place, a better community for us to live in,” he said at the closing of Kuching Fest here on Saturday.
He pointed out that sporting activities would not only benefit the individual, but also foster harmony and create new friendships.
“Each one of us has a role to play and have a contribution to make, no matter how big or how small it is.
“What I’m saying is this…the hardware and software is already there and what is needed now is another ware which we call the heartware,” he explained.
Wong said that this heartware is derived from the pride and love for the city, from each of its member.
“The heartbeat is all of us. It is the sense of belonging that will bring us together. We also have to make sure that all of us have a role to play and a contribution to make,” he said.
He also extended his appeal to the private and public sectors, adding that creating warmth and character requires concerted effort from all quarters.
“If we put a common cause to our hearts, we’ll make things happen. We’ll make kuching a better city for all of us, to live, to work in.
“You may be different but all of us are united through this heartbeat, through this software, through this heartware. For that we will be strong together,” he said.
Also present at the event were Kuching City North Commission (DBKU) mayor Datuk Abang Abdul Wahap Abang Julaihi and Kuching South City Council(MBKS) mayor James Chan.
Later, Wong witnessed the passing of the Kuching Fest flag from DBKU to MBKS that will be the host for Kuching Fest 2012.
The event featured entertainment by Malaysian artiste Jay Jay from the band Carefree, local artiste Shariman and city idol Shikin.