KUCHING: The Kuching Intercultural Mooncake Festival is a great platform for unity and to increase the economic income of the local community regardless of race, said Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah.
The Women, Early Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development Minister said the involvement of Bumiputera entrepreneurs in selling festive products is a display of harmony and tolerance among the people in the state.
“About 40 per cent of the 180 stalls are run by Bumiputera entrepreneurs and other non-Chinese races. This is a manifestation of mutual respect for each other.
“Their participation in the festival also help to stimulate their income and at the same time, serves as a platform for entrepreneurs to interact and support each other’s businesses,” she told reporters when met at the festival ground at Carpenter Street last night (Sept 25).
She said the festival committee’s move to involve difference races is a good step to create a harmonious plural society.
“The festival is not only visited by the Chinese but also by other races. This is seen as beneficial for maintaining harmony and well-being of our community,” she said.
In addition, Fatimah also commended the efforts of the Malay community in learning the traditional Chinese food-making techniques such as mooncakes and ‘bak chang’.
“Among our Malay entrepreneurs, some have become proficient in making these. This is the result of good relations between communities, allowing halal food to be served and enjoyed by Muslims,” said Fatimah.
Meanwhile, she said the festival attracted about 250,000 visitors last year.
“Although this is not the weekend yet, the attendance of visitors is encouraging and we aim to achieve a similar number this year,” she said.
