KAPIT: Chairman of Kapit Foochow Association, Sii Bang Ee disclosed that the association is now working on the 90th anniversary celebration to be held on a special date fixed on 18 August 2018.
He called on the Foochow to contribute articles and old photographs if they have the collection for the publication of the magazine by then.
“Kapit Foochow Association is now working on the 90th anniversary celebration on 18 August 2018 to mark the existence of the Foochow Association. I appeal to all Foochow (those who have) to contribute articles and old photographs if they have the collection for the publication of the magazine by then. It would be a grand celebration and we plan to invite Foochow from all over the world to come (representatives from the Federation of the Foochow Associations of Malaysia, World Federation of Fuzhou Association, Malaya, Brunei, Sabah, Sarawak) for the Foochow conference here”, disclosed Sii Bang Ee at Kapit Foochow Association Committee Members Installation Banquet cum Fellowship Gathering held at Kapit Civic Centre on Sunday evening.
He disclosed that in terms of connectivity, Kapit is far lagging behind.“Kapit is the last frontier and only accessible by express boat sailing up the Rajang River. There is no land or air connectivity. After 3:15 pm daily, Kapit is cut off from the rest of the world. This is our dilemma. In the 1980s and before, we have the rural air service but later it’s terminated. It’s our hope that the government could revive the air connectivity to Kapit to improve its transport network” said Bang Ee.
“The old airstrip along Jalan Airport is still there but in depilated state which needs to be upgraded before reinstalling the rural air service. It’s our general consensus that government should reinstall the air connectivity between Kapit-Sibu, Kapit-Bintulu or Kapit-Kuching route. Having air service, would greatly reduce the travel hours and further open up Kapit to the outside world”, he explained.
He told that Kapit is the power house of Sarawak with the Bakun Dam, Murum Dam and now coming up the Baleh Dam construction. “Kapit occupies one-third of the total state land size. Yet it is very lagging in transport. By introducing air service would certainly attract affordable tourist from overseas to visit Kapit because we have the pristine nature of green (forest) and river. Morever Kapit is the home to the famous exotic fish like the ‘Ikan Empurau’ that certainly attract people to come”, he added.
He pointed up that there is good road link between Sibu and Mukah. However, Mukah has air connectivity from Sibu-Mukah and Kuching-Mukah daily. He hoped the government to look into the matter seriously.
On the celebration, he welcomed Foochow counterparts from West Malaysia, Brunei, Sabah and outside Kapit to attend the function.
“We welcome you to Kapit. Your presence testified that Foochow regardless of the locality they always support one another because they’re closely linked through the Federation of Foochow Associations Malaysia, Sarawak Federation of Foochow Associations”, he said and thanked all the sponsors for their kind donation of money, beverages and hampers to support the function.
He also took the opportunity to thank the Deputy Minister of Rural and Regional Development Datuk Alexander Nant Linggi who has allocated RM500,000 to the Foochow Association to construct the double-story multi-purpose hall.
“We are very grateful to the Deputy Minister of Rural and Regional Development Datuk Alexander NantaLinggi to allocate RM 500,000 to the Foochow Association to construct the double-story multi-purpose hall. Nanta is caring and in the coming election, I appeal to all Foochow here to give BN candidate the full support in the coming up parliament election to demonstrative our gratitude”, said Bang Ee.
The highlight of the evening saw the installation of the main body, women wing, youth wing and veteran section.
The other main committee 2017 to 2018 that was led by Sii Bang Ee were Kapitan Yiap Hii Hoo as the vice chairman, youth chief Ting King Yiing, women chief Wong Siew Chen and veteran chief Liew Song Swee.
Councillor David Wong Hau Ching is the secretary and assisted by James Ling while Councillor Jenny Yu Sii Geok is the treasurer.
Others in the committee are Wong Kah On and Tiong Siew Chiong (general affairs), Sia Leh Ching and Ting Hua Kong (welfare), Tang Lok Ting and Stanley Ling Bee Chong (public relation), Dr SiaTih Kong and Tiong ping (children and education), Ho Yang Dong and Ling Hang Pin (recreation).
The Ordinary members are Tommy Wong Chong Wei, Ling Kong Sie and Tiong Cai Lang respectively.
Present at the function were the President Sarawak Federated Foochow Association Dato Dr Ngu Piew Sieng, Vice President of World Federation Fuzhou Association, Datuk Dr Wong Aik Loung, Vice President The Federation of Foochow Associations of Malaysia Dato Sri Wong Ing Soon, chairman Limbang Foochow Association Dato Ngu Kiong Hor, chairman Veteran Section Sarawak Federated Foochow Association Chuo SiongHee, organising chairman of the function Kapitan YiapYii Hoo, adviser of the association James Chieng and his committee.
Also present were Kapit Police Chief DSP Freddy Bian, Temenggong Tan Kian Hoo, Pemanca Yong Thu Fook, Penghulu Sia Shui Poh, Penghulu Wong Kie Ing, Kapitan Kong Cheak He, chairman Kapit United Chinese Association, Liew Song Swee and some six hundred guests.
Meanwhile, some 59 Foochow elders who were 65 years old and above or those born in 1952 or before received the ang pow from the Veteran Section Kapit Foochow Association.
