KUCHING: Miri City Council and Sibu Municipal Council have been encouraged to emulate Kuching’s success in organising celebration programmes in their respective districts.
Deputy Premier Datuk Seri Dr Sim Kui Hian said Kuching has always acted as a ‘big brother’ for 26 other local councils and cities throughout Sarawak, leading in both social and economic aspects.
“Looking at the achievements from Kuching Festival last year, more than 1 million attendances were recorded at the festival including local and foreign visitors.
“On a single day, there were about 15,000 visitors during the 24-day event. This is a good achievement, and it is not easy to achieve this success.
“Furthermore, we did not pay anyone to come and attend the celebration of the festivals held here. It all happened organically,” he said.
He made these remarks when officiating at the launch of Kuching Festival 2023 at the Kuching South City Council (MBKS) venue here last night.
Dr Sim expressed confidence that that the remainder of Kuching Festival 2023 would proceed without any hindrance, ensuring its continued success.
“We are confident that this food festival has found a place in the hearts of Sarawakians, and we believe the local community will come together to celebrate the festival,” he said.
Also present at the launching ceremony were Dr Sim’s wife Datin Seri Enn Ong; Deputy Minister for Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Datuk Sebastian Ting; MBKS Mayor Datuk Wee Hong Seng; Deputy Mayor Hilmy Othman; Kuching Festival 2023 organising chairman Mok Chuang Ping; Consul General of the People’s Republic of China Xing Wei Ping; Kota Sentosa assemblyman Wilfred Yap; and other delegates from China, Japan and South Korea.
