RM200,000 raised for Kuching Heritage Race 2026

KUCHING (Jan 10): The Kuching Heritage Awareness Society (KHAS) has reached another significant milestone, having raised RM200,000 through its flagship project, the Kuching Heritage Race (KHR).

Established in 2017, the programme sets out to support underfunded non-profit organisations.

According to KHAS president Philip Yong, the race was created not only to promote Kuching’s heritage, but also to provide financial support to many community initiatives.

“The Kuching Heritage Race is not a profit-driven venture – it has always been about raising funds for those in need.

“That passion and consistency are what drive us forward.

“By tonight when we give all the cheques out, we would have raised RM200,000 since 2017,” he said in his speech for the Kuching Heritage Run (KHR) appreciation dinner hosted by the society at a hotel here on Thursday.

At the event, KHAS distributed RM30,000 to three non-profit organisations: Persatuan Pendidikan D’wira Kuching, Yayasan Salam Malaysia, and Sarawak Hospice Society (SHS), with each receiving RM10,000 to support their ongoing work.

To date, KHR has benefited more than 10 local non-governmental organisations (NGOs).

Yong acknowledged the support of sponsors, including the state Ministry of Public Health, Housing and Local Government; the Ministry of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts (MTCP); BESarawak; Sarawak Energy Berhad; Secret Recipe Sarawak; Borneo Adventure; Water Genesis; Ibraco Berhad; and Dato Richard Wee.

Meanwhile, the KHR 2026 organising committee chairperson Datin Sri Dona Drury Wee, announced that the eighth edition of the race would take place this May 9 in Kuching South, with the theme ‘Gastronomy Revisited’ – focusing on Sarawak’s rich culinary heritage.

“Heritage is not just in our buildings or our museums; it also lives in our kitchens and on our plates.

“By revisiting our gastronomy, we are honouring the stories of the people who settled here, and the flavours that they passed down.

“This race will challenge participants to explore how traditional food crafts have shaped Kuching’s identity as a Unesco Creative City of Gastronomy,” she said.

Registration opens this Jan 15; go to the programme’s official social media platforms and also https://kuchingheritage.com/ to find out more.

Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian officiated at the Thursday night event, where Deputy State Secretary (Operations) Datu Hii Chang Kee, BESarawak chief executive officer Amelia Roziman, as well as the sponsors, donors, partners and volunteers were also present.