KUCHING: With the festive season approaching, Satok assemblyman Datuk Ibrahim Baki visited several coffee shops and stores in the Satok area on Saturday (Jan 29) to hand out mandarin oranges and Chinese New Year (CNY) cards.
He also took the opportunity to wish business owners and patrons a happy Chinese New Year.
Among the places he visited to spread cheer were Yi Jia Yuan Café, Tay Hak Hak, and others. He was accompanied by Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP) Satok branch exco and team members.
Speaking to members of the media after his CNY meet-and-greet session, Ibrahim said this programme was a customary practice in Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) constituencies during the various festive seasons.
“If it is CNY, we will visit our Chinese friends and wish them a happy CNY, Gong Xi Fa Cai, and good luck. The Chinese in the area are mostly involved in business,” he said.
He said in Satok, there are people of various races and religions, including the Chinese, who are estimated to account for more than 20 per cent of the Satok population.
“We cultivate the spirit of unity so that the people here continue to live in harmony and peace in Satok. That is common here in Sarawak,” he said.
He wished the Chinese community in Satok as well as those residing in other areas a very happy CNY.
Ibrahim also encouraged celebrants to comply with the CNY standard operating procedure (SOP) issued by the Sarawak Disaster Management Committee (SDMC).
“Sarawakians are very obedient and loyal people – that is our culture and we need to continue this. We comply with the SOP and that is why the number of cases in Sarawak has decreased,” he said.
New Sarawak Tribune also interviewed several recipients to learn how they would be celebrating the upcoming CNY.
Yi Jia Yuan Café owner Chong Chew Sung, 54, said he would be having a simple celebration.
“It will be just a simple one with my close family members,” he said.
Noodle stall operator Ana Tay, 46, had similar plans to have a simple dinner with her family.
