Guild marks 95th anniversary with gathering

SIBU: Sarawak Kutien Association (SKA) marked its glorious history of 95th anniversary with a grand dinner celebration at a prominent hotel here on Friday night.

The auspicious occasion, graced by Deputy Minister of Public Health, Housing and Local Government Datuk Michael Tiang Ming Tee as the guest of honour, was attended by about 2,000 guests including clan members from Sabah and Peninsular Malaysia.

In his opening remarks at the occasion, KTA president Lee Yeo Hing said these nearly a century years have witnessed the guild growing from scratch, from gathering its original aspiration to prospering today.

He attributed it to every member’s contribution of their efforts and sweat to the development and prosperity of the association in the past and present.

“We faced challenges together, celebrated victories together, and created precious collective memories.
“To those seniors and members who have devoted their precious time and energy to the association, I would like to express my sincere gratitude. It is because of your selflessness and dedication that we can write such a glorious chapter in the history of our association.

Tiang (seventh from left) presses his hand to officiate at the event’s opening ceremony.

Tiang (eighth from left) hands over an appreciation certificate to KTA’s honorary chairman Datuk Ding Lian Cheon for his past contribution.

Lee (second from left) hands over a souvenir to Tiang.

“Take this opportunity. Let me express my utmost gratitude to the guests, leaders and members of our association who are here tonight. Your presence has added solemnity and glory to our association’s celebration,” he said.

Looking back on the past, he urged clan members to be grateful, understand their responsibilities and responsibilities more deeply, and look forward to the future.

He said they should continue to inherit and carry forward the spirit of Kutien Guild with greater determination, leaving a more prosperous and united community for the future generations.

This is, Lee added, so that they would be able to meet future challenges, create a better future, and make the greatest contribution to the society.

Tiang, who also spoke, said KTA as a big clan association comes with a big social responsibility.
He pointed that KTA is all for the society as they have been safeguarding the welfare and interest of clan members and their children’s education support.

As he himself is a member, he said KTA not only build strong ties with members but also with other clans and races.

He said KTA members just like any Sarawakians treasure the state’s virtue of multi-racial unity and diversity.

“We not only use the Kutien spirit of be humble, hardworking to make contribution to Sarawak, but also to safeguard our state’s multi-racial unity and harmony.

“The harmony and the unity that we enjoy should not be taken for granted and still need to put in effort to safeguard, and teach our next generation about this virtue that we all treasure so much,” he further stated.

At the event, various singing and dance peformances as well as lucky draws were held to make the event more lively while long service awards to members were also presented.

Among those present were Sibu Member of Parliament Oscar Ling Chai Yew, Bukit Assek assemblyman Joseph Chieng Jin Ek and chairman of Sibu Chinese of Commerce and Industry Datuk Lau Cheng Kiong.