KUCHING: Sarawak Hakkas have been praised for the conservation of their socio-cultural heritage despite having been separated from the Asian mainland for hundreds of years.
The praise came from Laos Ambassador to Malaysia, Houmdaophone Soukhaseum, who visited Kuching over the weekend.
He said that he was deeply touched by the hospitality of Kuchingites and mentioned that his visited coincided with Laos’ New Year festival.
“Celebrating our New Year in Sarawak will leave a good memory for me and my family,” he said.
The visit was organised by the Malaysia Hakka Cultural Society Sarawak branch president, Michael Leong, who also arranged for Houmdaophone to visit Bau where he was introduced to the culture and customs of the local Hakkas.
In Bau, Houmdaophone was received by several prominent local Hakkas led by Chinese Miners’ Historical Heritage and Cultural Society of Bau president, Pemanca Bong Yanglang, and Head of Bau Liu Zhouxian.
Next, the visitors visited Tasik Biru, Huang Laoxian Temple and the site of Pangkalan Tebang Uprising Deeds ̶ Liu Shanbang Monument and the flagpole.
Over dinner, Tasik Biru assemblyman Datuk Henry Harry Jinep explained to the ambassador the status of Bau’s development and tourism prospects.
After the meal, Houmdaophone was taken for a visit to Siniawan Night Market at the old Kuching-Bau Road.
