<b>Kuching</b> for me is an expressive demonstration of a diverse people <b>...</b> |
- <b>Kuching</b> for me is an expressive demonstration of a diverse people <b>...</b>
- <b>Kuching</b> for me is a bowl of Lui Char | <b>Kuching</b> For Me
- SUPP to nominate 3 new faces, 3 defeated candidates in <b>Kuching</b> <b>...</b>
- <b>Kuching</b> to have Petrosains playsmart centre - The Borneo Post Online
| <b>Kuching</b> for me is an expressive demonstration of a diverse people <b>...</b> Posted: 19 Oct 2015 03:33 AM PDT
Kuching for me is an expressive demonstration of a diverse people living together in generous kinship and unspoken coherence. It is no easy task to sieve through the depth of emotion and pinpoint what Kuching means to me. Each layer that I try analyze in a quest to locate the heart of the matter appears more intense than the last until all I can see is a tapestry of pride, belonging and tender affection for this place and this people I find myself bonded to. Kuching for me is the ultimate melting pot of culture, customs and camaraderie; where our colonial heritage buildings blend seamlessly with oriental mosaic tiles and Indian fare reminiscent of the spice trade; where laughter carries through Carpenter Street as silver bells, accompanying the melodic, muffled thumps of a kompang choir during humid mooncake evenings; where the celebration of festivals is a reason to reconnect and remind ourselves of the fragile beauty of relationships. In Kuching, we enjoy our friendships through feasting together. I love Kuching for her perceivable qualities; her Petra Jaya canopy stringing one giant roundabout to the next, her silhouettes of Gunung Serapi, Singai and Santubong welcoming morning rush hour traffic, her "turn left when exit is clear" routes, her weaving jalan tikus that cobweb across the city, her Padawan rivers and her pockets of meeting places scattered indeterminately, but Kuching is more than crimson temple bricks or thatched roofs, more than kuih lapis or cat statues or carvings of hornbills and trees of life.
As much as they are a representation of home, Kuching is more than just her aesthetics; a true reflection of the soul of the city is found in her people. The essence of Kuching lies in her people and indeed, in the people of the whole of Sarawak. We are a people who are loved and who have much love to give in return. Before labels of unity were created, we were. The freedom of cross-cultural exchange, acceptance and integration has long been ours, owned and lived, before the concept was wrapped in a pretty package and rebranded as a public relations exercise. We are free. Not because those sitting in cushioned echelons of power decree that it be so, but because our hearts beat together with the steady rhythm of a thousand ethnic drums. Those privileged enough to be born into this land are forever knitted into her rainforest vines and others blessed enough to have had the chance to call Kuching home find her inviting, welcoming them to set deep roots and dwell in her shade. Kuching for me is a glimpse, a brief window, into the radiance of Sarawak; the strength of the mighty Baram and the resilience of the mysterious Bario Highlands. In the need for development and the betterment of our people, virgin forests have given up their shade and it is our duty and responsibility as Kuchingites and Sarawakians to ensure such sacrifice is not in vain. Kuching has expanded rapidly over the last decade or so. Gone are the days when Jalan Song was surrounded by jungle or when a ride to Batu Kawah felt like an adventure. However, despite her incredible history, Kuching is still coming of age. Still pliable and accommodating to change, the sustainability of her promising future is dependent on commercial players and policy makers who have the power to drive her endurance yet preserve her character amidst progression. What is Kuching to me? Indefinable, the key lies somewhere between obscure philosophy and a sharp conviction to maintain the peace and harmony of various people groups across generations in our society. It is a treasure worth fighting to preserve, a legacy worthy of our collective possession as citizens of Kuching, of Sarawak and of Malaysia. Although it is sometimes hard to stay positive when the latest burger joint opening counts as the city's entertainment, the grass is greenest where we water it. Kuching to me is where I choose to lay my head and mark my future; where through the abundant grace of her people, I can keep enlarging my heart to love and serve a country that is going through challenging times. This land gives me hope and her Creator gives me faith that this beautiful city is a diamond in the rough, brimming with potential only just tapped. Wherever life may take me, though there are other cities that I love, Kuching is and always will be the heartbeat of my soul, the passion in my blood and the embodiment of Tanah Tumpah Darahku, Ibu Pertiwiku.  |
| <b>Kuching</b> for me is a bowl of Lui Char | <b>Kuching</b> For Me Posted: 19 Oct 2015 04:50 AM PDT
Kuching for me is a bowl of Lui Char; it is made up of an assortment of characters from the buildings that maketh the landscape to the people that walk the streets, all heavily influenced by cultures, traditions and history. No one aspect can stand individually and claim that it is what Kuching is all about. Like a bowl of different ingredients that make a good bowl of Lui Char, Kuching is a kaleidoscope of colours waiting to be traversed and explored. To me, a soul born and bred in Kuching, Kuching is home. No matter how far I have gone, Kuching is where the heart is. Cliché this may sound, but this is where my roots are. It is where I returned to every holiday when I was away. Here lies a bond so strong that it is difficult to sever. My parents, my siblings and my doggies… these are beings closest to me, and they are here in Kuching. My colleagues, my friends, my students and my books… they are also a huge part of me, and they are here in Kuching. For a plain Jane like me who yearns for simplicity, Kuching is rich beyond description with life's simple pleasures strewn at every nook and cranny. You can take a stroll along the scenic Kuching Waterfront while letting the gentle breeze caresses your face, drink Kopi-O and have loti kiap (roti kahwin to most) in a simple little kopitiam, take a touristy walk along the Main Bazaar, sipping kantong… the list goes on.
Kuching, to me, is a treasure trove with many little treasures hidden everywhere –- you just have to have the keen eyes for these little beauties; they can be found in the most unlikely of places, just like that quaint little hide-out tucked away in the hustle-bustle of a street, those wall murals and street art… all these bring to mind Carpenter Street. Kuching is also where the old and the new come together to offer everyone moments of indulgence and nostalgia amidst modernisation and globalisation. When drinking from a saucer cup set which was commonly used in kopitiams in the olden days, I am often transported momentarily to the time when Grandpa used to take me for breakfast; Grandpa used to pour the hot tea into the saucer for it to cool before I sipped it. When I step into a Starbucks outlet which is very rarely, I never fail to think about what Grandpa's reaction would be if he knew I could buy many, many cups of Kopi-O kaw with the amount of money I spend on a Starbucks coffee. Next on my list is something that everyone will have notice without fail. Kuching is where many statues of kucing can be seen, each unique to the eyes of the beholder. There is even a Cat Museum here, isn't that cool? Meow! Kuching is also where polyglots are made! It is not uncommon to find Kuchingites who are conversant in languages/dialects other than their own. I often listen in wonderment when my Indian neighbours speak in Hokkien; they are so fluent that I am ashamed of myself. Even my mother who is pure Chinese, speaks Iban rather effortlessly so much so that she can be mistaken for an Iban lady. Now, people often say familiarity breeds contempt, but to me, it gives me a sense of belonging and acceptance where food is concerned, that is. Imagine walking into your favourite kopitiam only to have your orders been recited to you even before you warm your seat! This is Kuching to me. I remember the Auntie selling laksa, asking me in Hokkien in her cheery voice, "Don't want smelly leaves, right?" She was referring to what we know as Coriander. Don't you agree that Auntie's little gesture exudes such warmth that is so heart-warming? Kuching is not named City of Unity for nothing, I must say. Here is where you can find Aminah, John and Mei Ling sitting in a kopitiam, sometimes sharing a table, enjoying a meal together, laughing and chattering away. You will find Ahmad and Fatimah in a shop selling cucur udang, etc. managed by a Chinese, and Ah Meng and Li Li savouring nasi lemak in a shop managed by a Muslim… you get the gist, don't you? Here, the pace is slower although development can be witnessed here and there. To me, this slow pace enables me to take time to take note of what otherwise would escape me, such as the clouds in the sky, the little blossoms, those little insects and a lot more. Kuching, to me, is where good Samaritans are found in abundance. The old adage 'A friend in need is a friend indeed' is worthy of mention here. When I needed used pots and pans for a recycling project or second-hand books for my reading programme, these good Samaritans were just a message away and they had no qualms about delivering them to me. Again, this also goes to show how close we are geographically; I remember how one friend remarked that it seemed that anywhere and everywhere in Kuching was less than 20 minutes away. Remember earlier when I said Kuching is where my roots are? Well, for now, it is where my rice bowl is too. I am a teacher. I am proud without being arrogant, to be one. A Kuchingite, through and through, I believe I am what I am today partly because of the environment that I was born into and grew up in. Kuching has indeed been good to me. No doubt like a good bowl of Lui Char where bitterness and sweetness go hand in hand, Kuching has given me endless memories, good and bad. However, there is not another place that I want to trade Kuching with… at least not for now. Kuching and I will continue to embroider many more memories for many more years to come. |
| SUPP to nominate 3 new faces, 3 defeated candidates in <b>Kuching</b> <b>...</b> Posted: 19 Oct 2015 11:32 AM PDT
 KUCHING: Will SUPP nominate three new faces and three defeated candidates for the five urban state seats traditionally allocated to it and a newly-proposed state seat in the southern zone, which is likely to be allotted to the party? The five seats are Padungan, Pending, Batu Lintang, Kota Sentosa and Batu Kawah while the new seat it expects to get is Batu Kitang. According to a source familiar with SUPP affairs, the following candidates have the edge to stand in the next state election: Peter Pui for Padungan, Milton Foo (Pending), Sih Hua Tong (Batu Lintang), Lo Khere Chiang (Kota Sentosa), Tan Joo Phoi (Batu Kawah) and Senator Datuk Dr Sim Kui Hian (Batu Kitang). Of these names, Pui, Foo and Lo will make their debut into the electoral battle if they are endorsed by Sarawak Barisan Nasional (BN) as candidates. Sih, Tan and Dr Sim were all defeated by the opposition during the 2011 state election. While Sih and Tan are believed to be contesting in the same seats as they did the last state polls, Dr Sim is said to be eyeing the new seat, which is widely considered as a white area. Dr Sim, who is SUPP president, is also leading the party's Pending branch. Traditionally, the party nominates a candidate who hails from the branch or sub-branches in a particular constituency to contest the seat. The source asserted that the party would support only Dr Sim as a candidate for Batu Kitang, in the hope that the latter would win the election and later on be appointed as a deputy chief minister (DCM). "Batu Kitang seems to be a hope for SUPP to see its president being appointed as DCM once again." One of the DCM posts in the Sarawak cabinet has been traditionally held by SUPP president. It was not vacant until former party president Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Dr George Chan lost Piasau to DAP in the last state election. In Padungan, Pui, who is a vice- chairman of Kuching branch, has been politically active. Instead of the branch chairperson Datuk Lily Yong, he was the top leader seen at the launch of the branch's 'Zero GST Signature Campaign' recently. Pui, a political science graduate, used to be a board member of Kuching North City Commission (DBKU). For Pending, it is almost certain that Foo, SUPP Youth secretary for Pending branch, will be named the candidate despite recent news reports that the branch had in mind three names; the other two being Dr Sim and Tan Kai. Early this month, Foo confirmed with the local media that he was one of the potential candidates for Pending. The 38-year-old lawyer has been representing Dr Sim to launch several local events besides visiting places including Sungai Apong, Pending Heights, Bintawa, Kenyalang Park and Kali Garden. SUPP Batu Lintang is deemed to be a little behind in terms of grooming young leaders. Because of this, Sih, the branch chairman, is seen as a key figure and will most probably stand in the next election again. Lo, who is SUPP Kota Sentosa chairman and Padawan Municipal Council (MPP) chairman, was already tipped to be a potential candidate to wrest Kota Sentosa from the opposition in 2011. However, former branch chairman Datuk Alfred Yap was nominated, who was then defeated by DAP's Chong Chieng Jen for a second time. This time around, the source said Lo, who had been active in community services given his MPP chairmanship, would be entrusted with regaining Kota Sentosa. In 2011, Joo Phoi lost Batu Kawah to DAP's Christina Chiew by a slim majority of 543 votes. Hence, Batu Kawah is still considered a grey area to the ruling coalition while the other four are considered black, given the big margin by which it lost – from 4,824 votes in Kota Sentosa to 8,381 votes in Batu Lintang. The source believed that the opposition would not have much against Joo Phoi, who still maintained a cordial relationship with the local community despite his defeat in the last state election. "He is the chairman of Batu Kawah branch and he will have the support from the people. Initially, he wanted Batu Kitang because he is the pro tem chairman of the Batu Kitang branch, but later he was put back in Batu Kawah." Interestingly, United People's Party (UPP) has been vocal about nominating its publicity secretary and Batu Kawah chairman Pemanca Liu Thian Leong as a candidate for the Batu Kawah constituency.  |
| <b>Kuching</b> to have Petrosains playsmart centre - The Borneo Post Online Posted: 16 Oct 2015 11:16 AM PDT KUCHING: The Ministry of Social Development has given the green light to Petrosains for the setting up of a Petrosains Playsmart mini science discovery centre here. Its minister Tan Sri William Mawan welcomed the plan, describing it as a timely project for the local people. "Social development encompasses many things and we have to look at coming up with new areas or frontiers. These include recreational activities that can stimulate interest and cultivate understanding in science and technology. "It will be very rewarding particularly to our young people," he said after a briefing at his office by the visiting Petrosains representatives yesterday. Mawan said his ministry would play its part in facilitating the setup of the centre. "From the ministry's standpoint, we will push for it. We will find out where to put up the centre and other facilities that Petrosains can use for its future outreach programmes," he added. He added the ministry had initially identified a former gym at the Kuching Civic Centre as a possible location for the Petrosains Playsmart centre, an option which Petrosains would have to look into further. The briefing by Petrosains was conducted by its Programmes Department director Kamaruddin Kassim and Exhibit Technology director Tajuddeen A Majeed. Petrosains Playsmart centre is a contemporary science discovery centre that provides enjoyable learning experience to visitors of all ages. It is a way to reach out to the community in the hope to nurture interests in science and technology. There are currently three Petrosains Playsmart centres in Malaysia; in Johor Bahru, Kuantan and Kota Kinabalu. Its headquarters is at KLCC in Kuala Lumpur. |
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