KUCHING: The Singaporean community in Sarawak came together to celebrate Singapore’s 60th National Day with a special gathering in the city today.
The SG60 National Day event, hosted at the Marian Boutique Lodging House, welcomed Singaporeans, their spouses and immediate family members.
Organised by the Singaporean community in the state, the event was also attended by the Deputy High Commissioner at the Singapore High Commission in Kuala Lumpur, Shivakumar Nair, and Counsellor (Political) at the Singapore High Commission in Kuala Lumpur, Charlene Chan.
Deputy Minister of Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development, Datuk Gerald Rentap Jabu, who officiated at the celebration, praised the close ties between Sarawak and Singapore.
“Let us be one big family here in Sarawak. Sarawakians and Singaporeans are not apart, not different,” he said in his speech.
Rentap also highlighted the long-standing connections between both sides, citing history, economic links and cultural similarities.
“There is a lot of economic connection between Kuching, Sarawak and Singapore. As you well know, one of the biggest banks in Singapore had its origins from Sarawak,” he said.
He also expressed hope for Singapore to set up a consulate office in Kuching to better serve its citizens.
He further commended Singaporeans in Sarawak for embracing the local way of life, saying diversity was a uniting strength.
“Our market is everywhere, and our culinary tastes are the same. The difference is nothing, but our diversity makes us united,” he said.
Wishing Singapore well on its 60th year of independence, Rentap also called for more gatherings in the future.
Meanwhile, the event committee chair Jasbir Kaur, who is also ‘Masterchef Asia’ finalist, thanked the Singapore High Commission for its support in bringing the community together.
“I would like to thank the Singapore High Commission for connecting us to one another during the reception for Overseas Singaporeans in Sarawak last September.
“We have since kept in touch with each other, and have reached our first milestone together today for this inaugural gathering of Singaporeans in Sarawak to celebrate our National Day – an event we hope to host annually,” she said.
She also extended appreciation to the Singapore High Commissioner for both moral and financial support.
“The main purpose of this event is to share the joy and pride of our 60th year of independence and achievements, and to acknowledge and celebrate the strong bilateral ties between our two nations, Malaysia and Singapore.
“Here in Sarawak, we felt a desire to strengthen relationships and friendship amongst Singaporeans living here, and foster deeper people-to-people connections – forming a little Singapore community we can lean on, especially in times of need,” she added.
Earlier, more than 80 people attended the gathering, including Rentap’s wife, Datin Rosemarie Wong-Jabu, whose mother is a Singaporean.
The celebration also featured a spread of iconic Singaporean favourites, such as Hokkien mee, Singapore laksa, mee Siam and otak-otak.
Guests were also treated to a buffet line offering chwee kuih, lontong, pani puri, hand-rolled chee cheong fun and cheng tng for dessert – all bringing a taste of home to the occasion.
