KUCHING: A total of 30 orphans from Rumah Kanak-Kanak Toh Puan Hajah Norkiah were delighted to be among the first to try out Sarawak’s own franchise restaurant Chicken Shak at No. 23 Market Street yesterday.
Kuching North City Commission (DBKU) mayor Datuk Abang Wahap Abang Julai, who was attracted to the location of the restaurant, in his speech said that overseas, it was normal to see old buildings being given new looks.
“This is a step towards making Kuching a better city with more attractions. The location of the restaurant in the centre of the city will surely attract locals as well as tourists,” he said during the grand opening of Chicken Shak.
“If we look at Penang now, the city has been granted the Unesco rights recently,” added Abang Wahap, referring to Unesco World Heritage Sites status given to the Old Georgetown Street which included a refurbished Chinese manor, artsy boutiques, cafes and studios.
“DBKU is entrusted by the state government to make the city of Kuching gain the same recognition,” he said.
Meanwhile, Chicken Shak founder Abang Noor Akmal said the launch of the Chicken Shak augured well for franchise business owned by Sarawakians.
“I hope that this restaurant can be a pilot outlet for us and we hope the response will be good, which should be the basis for our future business expansion.”
Also present were Toh Puan Norkiah, wife of former head of state Tun Pehin Sri Abang Muhammad Salahuddin Abang Barieng and DBKU board member Datuk Ahmad Ibrahim.
Chicken Shak is located at No. 23, Market Street.
