KUCHING: Fishing took on a different meaning at the 2026 Fishing Competition today (Aug 8) as participants turned the contest into an opportunity to bond with family and friends.
Kuching South City Council (MBKS) Mayor Datuk Wee Hong Seng said the competition had evolved beyond fishing to encourage family bonding and community interaction.
He said the competition drew 150 participants, many of whom came with their spouses, partners, friends and children, making the event an opportunity to spend time together while taking part in a shared activity.
“Through the last two years’ experience, you can actually see that fishing is not just fishing. You can see the family bonding,” he told reporters after officiating the event at Man-made Lake, Kuching Park MBKS here.
He also officiated the event with a ceremonial fish catch before participants got down to the competition.
Shortly after the competition got underway, a participant made the first catch of the day with a 5.5kg patin, giving the event an early start on the competition scoreboard.
Wee added that such activities were in line with the emphasis on people under the Post COVID-19 Development Strategy (PCDS) 2030.
“When we move forward towards our PCDS 2030, the basic thing is the people,” he added.
The competition offered 23 prizes, including RM2,500 and a plaque for the champion, RM1,250 and a plaque for the runner-up, RM750 and a plaque for third place, as well as RM50 consolation prizes for 20 participants. For the record, last year, the heaviest catch recorded in the competition was 7.265kg.
