(From left) Letitia, Aw, Kang, Yeo and Goh hold the brochures on the ongoing contest.
KUCHING: For Gerald Goh, the state capital is a romantic city.
The renowned local artist and sole proprietor of event company Impression Sarawak decided to plant his roots here, although friends had pointed out that he could do just as well in greener pastures elsewhere.
“It’s the heritage that keeps me here. There is a nostalgic feel to it, where remains of colonial influence is still here, giving Kuching a romantic touch,” he told thesundaypost.
However, these heritage sites are disappearing under development where they should be maintained.
“I’m glad that we’re still preserving some. These buildings make Kuching different. Tourism-wise, we should focus on that,” said Goh, who is working on a novel that covers the theme of historical buildings.
He pointed out that Kuching needed to be as colourful as Penang, where tourists have been known to rush in and out simply to catch a glimpse of the murals there.
“It’s like a treasure hunt for them. I would like to see this happening here.”
And let’s not forget signature Sarawak dishes, Goh said, highlighting that Thailand used much of the same ingredients as Sarawak but theirs were more memorable because of presentation.
When it came to creating a trail for tourists to follow, Macau did it right, he noted.
“We need to organise (tourism) better. We have the food and the heritage to get people to come.”
Meanwhile, Raintree Cafe Manager Letitia Adam said Kuching was where everyone should be free to practise their own religious beliefs.
“My sister is married to a Muslim and the differences have never been an issue between our family members,” she said, pointing out that nobody should force those outside their religion to accommodate to their own practices.
To Letitia, Kuching is also a safe place where she is free to move around on her own.
“And the ‘kolok mee’ – we can never run away from ‘kolok mee’!” she laughed.
Vanadium Land property manager Kelvin Kang, who is also the contest organiser, was present during the interview. He was accompanied by his colleagues Aw Tai Hui who is advisor for projects, retail development and leasing, and Titanium Project Management Sdn Bhd legal counsel Luna Yeo.
The ‘Kuching For Me’ contest, run by property developer Vanadium Land, wants to hear what Kuching means to its people. Anyone above the age of 12 can send in their entries.
Submit an essay starting with ‘Kuching for me is…’, keeping it under 1,000 words. Send it in with two photographs, a short film (no more than three minutes), a montage or a storyboard.
Entries can be submitted via www.kuchingforme.com from now until Sept 30 (before midnight).
Participants are in the running to win the RM5,000 grand prize, RM2,500 for second place and RM1,000 for third. There will also be 27 consolation prizes worth RM100 each.
For further details, visit www.kuchingforme.com, or Facebook page ‘KuchingForMe’.