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Borneo Post
4 days ago
- General
- Borneo Post
The fellowship of good neighbours
The host, John Lau (seated centre), with his neighbours at the gathering. I HAVE lived within a small and close neighbourhood in the Kuching City limits since the day I was born, which makes me the longest inhabitant for more than seven decades there—and so has my younger brother Edric. The road on which I still stay on today was named after my grandfather Ong Kwan Hin, who had, in 1956, decided to sub-divide it into 14 lots in order for his children to inherit their own properties. They were to do with their inheritance in whatsoever way that they had wished. My father Ong Kee Bian, No. 6 in the family, decided to build his own house, and in 1958, we moved in there. I was then eight years old. Prior to this, we had stayed within Grandpa Ong's homestead, which was smack right in the 'heart' of the entire estate of seven acres. Today, these 14 lots have mostly been sold outside the family—only four lots remain with the Ongs. Of the total, only 10 lots are occupied. Last Saturday, our neighbour Dato Seri John KS Lau had hosted a first-time get-together for all those in the entire neighbourhood. It was a pot-luck sort of affair, which commenced at 4.30pm and finished by 7.30pm. Thirty-nine of us had turned up. The youngest among the guests was almost three years old, a smart handsome boy named Liam whose grandfather Andy Kho is a local personality; and the eldest was an 80-plus Foochow lady named Christina, whom I had first met 55 years ago in Sibu. Christina's older brother Kung Chiew Tung was my co-worker and best friend in Sibu during my Borneo Company days there in 1970 to 1973. She now stays with her niece Datin Seri Ivy, who is John Lau's wife. It was such an enriching, enjoyable and exciting party. Although we're all neighbours staying within a community with just 400m of a 'no through road', which one could easily complete walking within a four-minute stroll, for many, it was the first time meeting each other face-to-face, and being 'introduced' to one another. We have had a 'Neighbourhood Watch WhatsApp Group' for some time now which we set up on Oct 10, 2015, and had only communicated among us via this group so far. Our neighbourhood, from the time when I was born in 1950 until today, has evolved beyond imagination. When I was a boy, Grandpa Ong's was the dominant house on top of the hill overlooking a vast orchard of fruit trees, small streams and jungle foliage. His vast wooden mansion had housed three of his sons and two of his daughters and many grandchildren, some of whom were sent by his other children for 'board and discipline' as and when needed. Right behind his house on an elevated slope was built a row of four wooden single-storey Chinese-styled longhouse that was rented out to different families. One of the families was the original 'Ah Poo Chek', famous for his 'kachang puteh' stall at the entrance of Rex Cinema in downtown Temple Street between 1946 and the 1970s. Facing Grandpa Ong's house at the T-junction of the road was a small Buddhist temple, which was occupied by a devout lady medium and her staff. This was the early beginning of what would eventually become the Sarawak H'ng Nam Siang T'ng Temple at Jalan Sekama today. On festive days, hordes of devotees, followers and their children would be seen to worship and pay their respects. Joss sticks smoke and burnt paper offerings were common. As a kid, I would often play outside in the compound trying to befriend some of these youngsters. One of the first lots to be sold outside the family (four lots were eventually allotted to be sold in order to finance the construction of the road itself) was built in 1957—it was to the Lim family. Today, the Wrights occupy it. Erwin, Alice and Melanie Wright have been neighbours of mine for more than 45 years, making them the family outside the Ongs to have dwelled in that neighbourhood the longest. They had acquired the property from Vincent Teo in the 1980s. Up on the hill on the southernmost part of the old estate was a house built by Dr Wee Kang Kee's father, and it had its own access via Crookshank Road instead of going through Ong Kwan Hin Road. It has since been sold to the neighbourhood's newest inhabitants, the Chin/Manyin family. We are a very diverse and multiracial community; in fact, there's a history of a microcosm of Sarawak society within the neighbourhood. Grandpa Ong had purchased this estate in the 1930s from a rather well-off trader of Indian descent, who had reared cows in the estate. Grandpa was to set up a Sarawak poultry farm in the early years, farming chicken for their eggs—probably a good reason why I have a lifelong love for them! Today, my neighbours include the Chinese of Hokkien, Foochow, Hakka, and Teochew groups; the Malay and the Melanau, the Bidayuh, the Indians, and the Eurasians. At some point during the history of the road, the dwellers had included the Iban, the English, the Danish, Australians, New Zealanders, Dutch, Indonesians and Norwegians. Rather amazing, isn't it? Within the larger circle of Sarawak's housing estate communities, I have heard of and read in the news in recent years of those living in 'enclosed neighbourhoods' forming what is termed 'Neighbourhood Watch'. There were some who had organised formal meetings to set up committees to be in charge of such organisations. Others were more informal and 'makeshift', loosely formed to just help in time of need. It is always a good thing for people who share common spaces and areas of inhabitation to come together to at least get to know each other, and to help out if and when the necessity arises. I feel that it's something that we all should be a part of no matter where we live, and how big or small our neighbourhood community is. Finally, I'd like to make my own personal observations as to what constitutes being a 'good neighbour': Friendliness: A good neighbour will always try to be friendly, available and approachable. This will help whenever you may need any assistance. Quietness: In the most basic sense, not playing loud music, or having the television on, or making unnecessary noise frequently. Respect: This includes accepting each other's profession, privacy, religion and personal choices without any bias. Maturity: As adults and being reasonable people, not to be oversensitive or take matters to heart over small irritants from time to time, as issues can be resolved by communicating each other's frustrations. Helpfulness: A willingness to lend a helping hand, maybe over a pet, or to collect a package in your absence, or to call you if they spot an intruder. Trustworthiness: A neighbour who can be trusted upon to help keep an eye on your house, your pet, property or the surroundings in your absence. Tidiness: It's a neighbour's responsibility to keep their surroundings clean, dispose of trash and keep a litter-free lawn, garden or driveway. Besides, it also gives the neighbourhood a well-kept appearance and increases the value of the property prices. It is indeed a blessing to live in such a pleasant, and outstanding neighbourhood like mine, and I wouldn't think of ever living anywhere else. May God continue to bless all of us who are living here, and I pray that you too are living in a nice and uplifting neighbourhood, wherever you may be. * The opinions expressed in this article are the columnist's own and do not reflect the view of the newspaper. Kuching neighbours Sarawak
The Star
22-07-2025
- Business
- The Star
Call to include more streets in plan to revitalise Sibu town centre
Irene Wong: Include other historic streets as part of Sibu's long-term development strategy. Sibu Municipal Council's (SMC) proposal for a night market walkway between the back lane of Jalan Market and Jalan Cross has received praise, but also prompted calls for broader revitalisation in the area. Irene Wong (pic), who is Sibu MP Oscar Ling's special assistant, said more needed to be done for Sibu's town centre. 'Sibu was a thriving commercial hub in the 1980s and 1990s. 'Streets such as Jalan Bank, Jalan Bengkel, Jalan Central, High Street, Jalan Cross, Jalan Market and Jalan Chew Geok Lin played a pivotal role in the town's early economic development,' Wong said in a statement. 'In recent years, however, the emergence of modern shopping malls with improved facilities has led to a decline in footfall and vibrancy in these older areas.' She said more streets should be included in future SMC revitalisation plans, with a focus on preserving heritage buildings and boosting foot traffic. Preserving these areas by supporting traditional businesses and incorporating cultural elements, said Wong, could transform them into attractive destinations for foreign and local tourists. 'Sibu's old streets form an integral part of the town's cultural heritage and can be strengthened through restoration of its historic core, stakeholder engagement and careful planning. 'Preserving the original architecture while enhancing nostalgic charm, similar to what's being done in Melaka, can showcase Sibu's charm and Foochow culture. 'Through careful repair and maintenance, the old streets could be revitalised and contribute to developing a distinctive city identity,' she said. Wong added that increased foot traffic from revitalisation efforts would naturally generate new business opportunities and reinvigorate the local economy. She also proposed time-limited parking bays in front of shops, for example allowing vehicles to stop for a maximum of 30 minutes, to maximise use of limited parking spaces. This would improve parking turnover, reduce congestion on narrow streets and make it easier for customers to access businesses in the area.
Borneo Post
18-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Borneo Post
Kuching Food Festival 2025 returns with 324 stalls, rich cultural flavours and international flair
Liew (fourth left) presents a mock cheque to Wee (fifth left) while others look on. – Photo by Jude Lee KUCHING (July 18): The highly anticipated Kuching Food Festival 2025 is set to return from July 25 to August 17 at Dewan Masyarakat, Kuching South City Council (MBKS), featuring 324 stalls in a vibrant culinary showcase of Sarawak's diverse heritage and international flavours. Kuching South Mayor, Dato Wee Hong Seng, announced this during the handover ceremony of Magnum's RM45,000 sponsorship at the MBKS building here today. 'The contribution is not only financial, but also a gesture of trust, shared value, and commitment to the community that both MBKS and Magnum have held dearly,' said Wee, expressing his appreciation to Magnum for its continuous support spanning more than three decades. 'The long-lasting donation is the friendship that links together and builds up to make sure that as a whole, the community will benefit from this sponsorship,' he added. He further announced that this year's festival will feature 320 food stalls, three beer stalls, and one dedicated drink stall. Among the main highlights is the Chinese Home-Cooked Delicacy Corner, showcasing traditional dishes prepared by Chinese dialect groups in Sarawak – Hainan, Chawan, Teochew, Hokkien, Hing Hwa, Foochow, Kwong Wai Siew, and Hakka. They will each take turns to showcase and sell their traditional dishes over a dedicated three-day period, he noted. 'These are not the commercial recipes; these are dishes that represent the stories, the tradition, and family memories. 'So it is our way of preserving our culture through food and ensuring our younger generation understands and appreciates the richness of the root,' he pointed out. The festival will also feature a 'Gastronomy Pavilion', a special section reflecting Kuching's status as a Unesco Creative City of Gastronomy. Sister cities from Zhenjiang and Quanzhou, China, will also participate, sharing their culinary arts and culture with festival-goers. Additionally, there will be a 'Bumiputera Corner', a space where the Malay, Dayak, and other indigenous communities can proudly present their traditional delicacies. Wee encouraged the public from all over Sarawak to come and experience the delicious food, lively atmosphere, performances, and support local businesses. 'Do come, because your support matters. By visiting the stores, you are supporting all the small businesses, encouraging cultural continuity, and helping to keep this community spirit alive and thriving. 'The success of this festival is not just measured in numbers, but in all the smiles that we are creating in Kuching, the stories that we share and the memories that we create together,' he said. Also present was ENE Sdn Bhd vice president and East Malaysia regional head Liew Kee Chuan. Kuching Food Festival 2025 MBKS Wee Hong Seng
Borneo Post
07-07-2025
- General
- Borneo Post
Deputy Minister: Unity stands as true foundation of Sarawak's stability, progress
Ting (centre) leads the cake-cutting ceremony. On his left is Wong. MIRI (July 8): Sarawak's remarkable transformation from a resources-based state to a leader in high technology, green energy and smart city development is only possible through strong unity of its people, said Deputy Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Datuk Sebastian Ting. Speaking at the Miri Foochow annual dinner cum installation of its main committee, youth, women and senior citizen's wings on Sunday, Ting emphasised the collective spirit and close cooperation among the state's diverse communities including the Malay, Iban, Dayak, as well as various Chinese clan groups, as the true foundation of the state's stability and progress. Talking specifically about the Foochow community's well-known 'dare to fight, dare to win' spirit, he said this had 'contributed greatly to the journey'. 'We must continue to stand shoulder to shoulder, respecting and supporting each other, so that Sarawak can remain vibrant, harmonious and full of hope,' said the Piasau assemblyman, who is also a Foochow. He further described the community's resilience and entrepreneurship as being symbolised by the 'three knives: the scissors, the kitchen knives and the barber knives' – all representing the Foochow people's determination of building a better life from humble beginning. 'This is not a legendary tale, but a true reflection of the hard work and the fighting spirit of the Foochows, which have been passed down from one generation to the next.' Also present at the event was the association's chairman Wong Chie Bin. The dinner was made extra significant when the Foochow Porridge was served as one of the dishes. Known as 'Aojiu', the sweet porridge is a unique tradition of the community, served early on the 29th day of the first lunar month. Made as ancestral offerings or as gifts to relatives and friends, this dish's main ingredients comprise glutinous rice and brown sugar, with additional items such as peanuts, red dates, water chestnuts, sesame seeds and longan. Foochow green energy lead Sebastian Ting stability unity
Borneo Post
07-07-2025
- General
- Borneo Post
‘Unity stands as true foundation of Sarawak's stability, progress'
Ting (centre) leads the cake-cutting ceremony. On his left is Wong. MIRI (July 8): Sarawak's remarkable transformation from a resources-based state to a leader in high technology, green energy and smart city development is only possible through strong unity of its people, said Deputy Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Datuk Sebastian Ting. Speaking at the Miri Foochow annual dinner cum installation of its main committee, youth, women and senior citizen's wings on Sunday, Ting emphasised the collective spirit and close cooperation among the state's diverse communities including the Malay, Iban, Dayak, as well as various Chinese clan groups, as the true foundation of the state's stability and progress. Talking specifically about the Foochow community's well-known 'dare to fight, dare to win' spirit, he said this had 'contributed greatly to the journey'. 'We must continue to stand shoulder to shoulder, respecting and supporting each other, so that Sarawak can remain vibrant, harmonious and full of hope,' said the Piasau assemblyman, who is also a Foochow. He further described the community's resilience and entrepreneurship as being symbolised by the 'three knives: the scissors, the kitchen knives and the barber knives' – all representing the Foochow people's determination of building a better life from humble beginning. 'This is not a legendary tale, but a true reflection of the hard work and the fighting spirit of the Foochows, which have been passed down from one generation to the next.' Also present at the event was the association's chairman Wong Chie Bin. The dinner was made extra significant when the Foochow Porridge was served as one of the dishes. Known as 'Aojiu', the sweet porridge is a unique tradition of the community, served early on the 29th day of the first lunar month. Made as ancestral offerings or as gifts to relatives and friends, this dish's main ingredients comprise glutinous rice and brown sugar, with additional items such as peanuts, red dates, water chestnuts, sesame seeds and longan. Foochow green energy lead Sebastian Ting stability unity
