Latest news with #KuchingNorthCityCommission
Borneo Post
22-07-2025
- Politics
- Borneo Post
Over 1,000 join inaugural 722 Walk in Kuching to mark Sarawak Day
Participants during the inaugural 722 Walk in Kuching today. – Photo by Chimon Upon KUCHING (July 22): Over 1,000 proud Sarawakians participated in the inaugural 722 Walk this morning, uniting in celebration of Sarawak Day and paying tribute to the state's enduring spirit, heritage and unity. The three-kilometre walk, which began at 6am from MBKS Boulevard, concluded at the Kuching Waterfront with the hoisting of the state flag at Dataran Ibu Pertiwi. In his welcoming remarks, Kuching South Mayor Dato Wee Hong Seng said the 722 Walk was more than a physical activity – it was a powerful statement of solidarity. 'This is more than just a walk. It is a statement of unity, a reflection of our shared love for this land we call home,' he said before flagging off the walk. Wee also thanked the Kuching North City Commission (DBKU) and Padawan Municipal Council (MPP), saying their collaboration showed that setting aside differences could lead to greater accomplishments for the people. 'Today, we have made that vision a reality. And while next year DBKU will take the lead as host, we must remember that it is not about positions or organisers. 'The 722 Walk belongs to every Sarawakian. It belongs to all of us,' he said. Emphasising the historical importance of the date, he said 722 is a reminder of Sarawak's journey towards self-determination and its rights under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63). 'Let us not allow 722 to be reduced to a mere ritual or celebration. 'It must remain a call to action for all Sarawakians to stay united, to cherish our diversity, and to continue working together for a stronger and more prosperous Sarawak,' he said. Also present were Kuching North Mayor Dato Hilmy Othman and Padawan Municipal Council Chairman Tan Kai. 722 Walk Kuching MBKS sarawak day
Borneo Post
14-07-2025
- General
- Borneo Post
Dataran Ibu Pertiwi ceremony celebrates unity, Sarawakian identity
Lee (middle) joins performers and guests in waving the mini Sarawak flags after the flag-raising ceremony. On his right is Hilmy. – Photo by Frankie Junau KUCHING (July 14): The Dataran Ibu Pertiwi stood as a powerful symbol of unity yesterday as it hosted the July edition of the Ibu Pertiwi flag-raising ceremony, held in conjunction with Sarawak Day celebrations. The ceremony was officiated by Sarawak Transport Minister Dato Sri Lee Kim Shin, who is also in charge of this year's Sarawak Day celebrations on July 22 in Miri. The majestic Ibu Pertiwi flag, measuring 25 metres in length and 12.4 metres in width, was raised with pride on its 99.4-metre-high flagpole. The event commenced with an inspection of the Kuching North City Commission (DBKU) Honor Guard, followed by the rendition of the state anthem, 'Ibu Pertiwiku.' Attendees were also treated to a performance by local artist Tini Tyrani, who showcased Sarawak's cultural heritage through a Sarawak Day-themed presentation. The month flag-raising ceremony, organised by DBKU, is a continuous civic initiative aimed at fostering patriotism and strengthening a shared sense of identity among Sarawakians. The ceremony saw the presence of several dignitaries including Kuching North mayor Dato Hilmy Othman, Ministry of Transport Sarawak (MOTS) permanent secretary Datu Wong Hee Sieng, as well as senior officials and commission members from MOTS and DBKU. The inaugural flag-raising ceremony was officiated by Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg on July 28 last year, marking the official launch of the Dataran Ibu Pertiwi as a civic landmark. Dataran Ibu Pertiwi has since become one of Kuching's most iconic landmarks, recognised not only for its monumental flag but also as a site that reflects the spirit and aspirations of the people of Sarawak. Dataran Ibu Pertiwi lead Lee Kim Shin sarawak day
Borneo Post
08-06-2025
- Business
- Borneo Post
Modern Living Home Expo draws over 60,000 visitors on last day
Hilmy (second right) and Tiong (fourth right) take a group photo during the event. — Photo by Frankie Junau KUCHING (June 9): The Modern Living Home Expo attracted over 60,000 visitors on its final day yesterday. According to organising committee chairman Nicholas Tiong, the three-day event at Metrocity Convention Centre here surpassed the turnout recorded at the previous expo held earlier in February at the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching. 'As of midday, we welcomed more than 60,000 visitors to the expo, exceeding the previous record of around 40,000. I am confident the number will continue to rise by this event, as many people tend to make their way to the venue during the final hours to take advantage of exclusive discounts from exhibitors,' he told reporters when met yesterday. The exhibition featured 300 booths, showcasing the offerings of 80 companies from across Kuching. These included the latest electrical appliances, home care essentials, DIY tools, and a variety of modern furniture. 'We chose Metrocity due to its strategic location and ease of access for the public, which is one of the key reasons for the significant increase in visitor numbers compared to the previous venue,' said Tiong. Meanwhile, Kuching North Datuk Bandar Dato Hilmy Othman, who visited the exhibition, expressed strong support for the organiser's initiative in hosting it. 'We truly welcome efforts such as this, as they help revitalise the local economy, especially in areas under DBKU's (Kuching North City Commission) administration,' he said, adding that DBKU would assist the organisers with any needs to facilitate similar events in the future. 'Following the post-Covid recovery, economic activities are beginning to thrive once again. We must continue to nurture economic opportunities that generate income for exhibitors and those indirectly involved in the local economic ecosystem. 'I have been informed that public response to this expo has been very encouraging, and I hope to see more such activities held here at MCCC, as they can generate greater business and employment opportunities for our community,' Hilmy said. exhibition lead Modern Living Home Expo Nicholas Tiong
Borneo Post
10-05-2025
- Borneo Post
Gone with the wind…
The columnist believes that it would be good if the citizens were given the chance to propose what to do with the Kuching Civic Centre building, or the land on which it stands. — Photo courtesy of Edgar Ong THAT 29-foot long slab of a foreign material (heavy-duty polycarbonate, according to fellow columnist, Edgar Ong of ' Just Another Point of View ' – April 12, 2025), could have landed on the roof of his house or his car. It could also have hit somebody walking in the garden. That would have been disastrous indeed. Unless and until some governmental authority proves otherwise, the 'flying intruder' must be regarded as a prime suspect as having been a piece of the iconic civic centre at Taman Budaya in Kuching. I must say that Edgar is such a responsible citizen because he has brought to the attention of the public a potential killer in the city. The authorities, generally fond of advising the public 'not to speculate' on various mysterious events, may or may not have appreciated his prompt raising of the alarm! Since the incident, many people have been waiting for the authorities to act, making known what exactly would be done to the building, and how soon. The ball is at the government's court, or of agencies such as the city council. Which one: Kuching North City Commission (DBKU) or Kuching South City Council (MBKS)? Repeat, whoever has an interest in the building should take a prompt action to assure the public that the danger posed by falling materials from the structure is eliminated altogether. It would be a great embarrassment to all concerned if another gust of wind should blow away more pieces of the roof of the tower. In the event of a lawsuit, the name of the well-known architect and that of the builder of the centre could be dragged in. The owner/custodian, owing a duty of care to the public at large, may well be liable for any injury to person or damage to property. Breach of that duty would be a tort of negligence. While waiting for the bureaucratic machinery to grind at its own pace, let's pray that no strong wind will blow in the direction of Taman Budaya for the time being. Praying may not be enough – some concrete action would be better. We'd like to see men fixing the lifts, men on the roof to inspect the extent of structural damage, and to see what needs replacement or what needs to be retained. Just some tangible sign signifying something is being done. Various groups of people have expressed their interest in the future of the Kuching Civic Centre. It is good that everybody recognises the importance of some useful facility, instead of letting the structure rot away. During its heyday, the planetarium attracted a lot of interest amongst school-children and other members of the public. They came to see the stars at close range, while listening to the late Mr Jacob Sebastian explaining the mysteries of the sky. A pity that no one as competent and knowledgeable as Mr Sebastian took over the job when he was unable to continue manning the planetarium. I went once to his talk and learned something about the constellation of stars before immersing myself in the old newspapers, which were being stored somewhere downstairs. I hope these newspapers had been microfilmed and were being kept in the National Archive as part of the national heritage. The last time that I was at the civic centre was when I went to pay my last respects to the late Awang Raweng, holder of the George Cross. The hero was lying in state in the main hall of the centre before he was interred at the Heroes Monument across the road. I think the hall is still good for many purposes. During its heyday, the place was a popular venue for cultural shows and other gatherings. This was before the completion of the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK). The organisers of large-scale gatherings began to shift venues, leaving the civic centre in the lurch. I remember organising a singing competition in the Iban language there. It was a roaring success. Sometimes one tends to associate success with the venue where it was held. Up in the tower, there were good restaurants. Those who had been there would wish to go back with friends. I invited a friend from Singapore to show off what Kuching could offer by way of a panoramic view of the city – city in the forest, and a forest in the city. A few years later, when I wanted to take a friend from New Zealand for a bowl of laksa up there, it was a great let-down: the lifts were not working! The Kiwi went home without a story to tell. I think it would be good if the citizens were given the chance to propose what to do with that building or the land. I would suggest that the land on which it stands be alienated to the Sarawak Initiatives, a group that provides training facilities to groom up young Sarawakians who aspire to be the future leaders. They need a venue with facilities for the study of the Malaysia Agreement 1963 and related documents, for the studying of local customs and mores, the law of the constitution, and current world affairs affecting the country. I hope this organisation would bid for alienation of the land and undertake to use it for some useful purpose in terms of quality education for the young Sarawakians. If the government decides to pull the structure down, there must be other organisations that would like to acquire the property and develop it for some good purpose. Alienate the land to a deserving local organisation. * The opinions expressed in this article are the columnist's own and do not reflect the view of the newspaper. city councils Civic Centre maintenance roofing
Borneo Post
27-04-2025
- Politics
- Borneo Post
‘Ibu Pertiwi flag-raising a reminder of S'wak's sovereignty'
The dignitaries and other attendees, all donning Raya outfits, gather for a group photo at the Ibu Pertiwi site in Petra Jaya. – Ukas photo KUCHING (April 27): The monthly raising of the Sarawak flag, 'Ibu Pertiwi', is a celebration of the state's sovereignty and unity. The ceremony, usually held on the first Sunday of every month, aims to nurture patriotism and a sense of belonging among locals. This month's flag-raising ceremony, however, was quite unique as it coincided with the Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebration, and participants were seen donning traditional Malay costumes during the event. The event kicked off with an inspection of the guard-of-honour from the Kuching North City Commission (DBKU), followed by the singing of the Sarawak anthem, 'Ibu Pertiwiku'. It continued with a performance by the music group 'Prodigy', said Sarawak Public Communication Unit (Ukas) in a report shared on its Facebook page. Minister of Utility and Telecommunications Sarawak Dato Sri Julaihi Narawi officiated at the ceremony today. Meanwhile, Minister in Sarawak Premier's Department Dato Sri John Sikie Tayai is expected to officiate at the flag-raising ceremony next month. Among those present yesterday were Deputy Minister of Energy and Environmental Sustainability Datuk Dr Hazland Abang Hipni, Kuching North Datuk Bandar Dato Hilmy Othman, Sarawak Multimedia Authority general manager Dato Dr Anderson Tiong Ing Heng, Sarawak Digital Economy Corporation chief executive officer Dato Sudartono Osman, and DBKU director Ramzi Abdillah. flag raising ibu pertiwi flag julaihi narawi Kuching North City Commission
