KUCHING: About 650 flowers were distributed to female hawkers and customers at the Stutong Community Market here yesterday.
Kuching South City Council (MBKS) mayor Datuk Wee Hong Seng presented the flowers to show respect to the women in conjunction with the International Women’s Day celebration on March 8.
“For us in MBKS, we have to show respect to all the women around us because they have contributed a lot not only to the society but to the family as a whole.
“Every individual must not only show respect to female family members like their mothers, grandmothers and sisters, but also to practise it in the community.
“I think this is another celebration other than Mother’s Day that recognises women.
“I believe that respect and appreciation to women should not be shown only during Women’s Day or Mother’s Day, but it should be shown all the time,” he told reporters after the distribution of flowers.
Wee added there were many great female figures that had contributed to the world, as well as fought for equality and women’s rights.
He said that there were now more women than men in the world and that women deserved more rights and opportunities for their contributions.
“In MBKS, we feel that women must always be given priority and this is not only because they are women but also because they deserve it.
“As you can see, our acting city secretary Zainab Marzali is a woman and most of the divisional heads in MBKS are women and they have been running MBKS well for many years.
“For this, we believe that men must respect women and give them more than equal rights,” he added.
During the distribution of flowers, Wee ran into former MBKS mayor Datuk James Chan Khay Syn and his wife Datin Catherine Sng at the market.
Also present were head of PR for MBKS Lilian Liew and MBKS councillors Bong Lian Huan, Jong Yean Pin and Goh Tze Hui.
Wee and Chan (left) share a brief moment together. 
Two elderly gents smile for the camera after receiving flowers from Wee as well.
