Kuching City commemorative signage unveiled in Padungan

KUCHING: A new commemorative signage has gone up in Kuching City South to celebrate the city’s international recognition as the UNESCO Creative City for Gastronomy, World Crafts City and Kuching City of Unity.

The lighted signage positioned opposite the renowned White Cat statue in Padungan was formally switched on by Kuching City South Council (MBKS) Mayor Datuk Wee Hong Seng on Dec 1.

Wee said the signage serves to create awareness amongst Kuchingites of the city’s global acclaim.

“This is something Kuchingites can be proud of,” he said.

He also hopes and plans that a bigger and more impressive archway at the Padungan roundabout will be built in due course once the budget has been approved by the government.

Joining Wee in the light-switching ceremony were World Crafts Council Asia Pacific president Aziz Murtazaev; ASEAN Handicraft Promotion and Development Association (AHPADA) president Edric Ong; and Society Atelier Sarawak president Melinda Omar.

It was also witnessed by dignitaries representing the Mayor of Linshu County, China, and the Mayor of Taraz, Kazakhstan, and delegates of the Atelier-AHPADA Forum.

Meanwhile, Aziz congratulated Wee as well as Society Atelier Sarawak for their conferment of World Crafts City by the World Crafts Council in 2018.

He noted that he was also impressed with the many developments in Kuching, especially the innovative and progressive advancements for protecting and sustaining the variety of crafts in the city and beyond.

Earlier on the day, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between Kuching and Linshu County China for the joint collaboration for promoting and development of crafts.

Similar MoUs are expected to be signed soon between Kuching and Yogyakarta, Indonesia) and Taraz, Kazakhstan.