BY LEONG Z-KEEN
KUCHING: Kuching South City Council (MBKS) hosted a car-free morning event in conjunction with Earth Hour at Saradise today (March 23).
Roads around the area were closed off by authorities as early as 6am and reopened at 10am to facilitate and promote awareness to the public towards the on-going issue of climate change.
Some of the activities held during the event were aerobics session by the Fa Jia Chi Kung Medical Association, a brisk walk around the compound, and a dance performance conducted by an association.
Mayor of MBKS, Datuk Wee Hong Seng officiated at the event and offered a few words of encouragement to the attendees.
New Sarawak Tribune reporters who were on duty managed to get some commentaries from participants around the venue.
TIFFANY NG, Housewife
“For this car-free event, it was my first time participating in it. As for how I knew the event, there were talks among the association of being invited to this event, so the association asked us to liven up the atmosphere with a dance routine. If the city council ever organise this event again and I have some free time, I would like to partake in it again for the experience.”
RYSIO CHEN SWEE MING, Grab driver
“This is not our first time doing an aerobics session in an event. Last year, we participated in celebrating the autumn festival at Kuching Old Bazaar and the autumn festival here in Saradise. I am quite happy for how the session unfolded as some of the joggers and cyclists passing by also joined in.”
TING TIEW LIK, Manager
“As far as I can remember, this event started last year, but this was the first time being held at Saradise. This is my own thought, but I wish this initiative can be done around Kuching because we have around seven districts with their own authorities. For today’s event, I am quite satisfied with the proceedings, although it would be better if it had more participants to hype up the event.”
JEFFERY FLORIAN, Retiree
“I have participated in the car-free morning before at other places, but this is my first time joining one hosted by MBKS. For me, I was hoping for more people to turn up in this event since Saradise is a huge area, or maybe it is due to the Ramadan month and it was held during a Saturday where not many people prefer to be outdoors. Overall, I think this is a good initiative by the city council as it not only promotes awareness towards climate change, but also encourages our nation to keep a healthy lifestyle.”
JOSIE KHO, Retiree
“This is also my first time partaking in this event at Saradise. I joined this event elsewhere before. Overall, I can say it is really encouraging to the people because with the police placing road blocks around the area, we have the freedom of carrying out activities like jogging and cycling. If possible, I would like this event to be permanent to let the public have a chance to exercise freely without having to worry about oncoming traffic.”
