By Wilfred Pilo
KUCHING, July 20: The official launch of Bintawa Kotak Roundabout stands as a tribute to the area’s early fishing community, preserving the legacy of the pioneers whose hard work helped shape Kuching’s development.
More than just a traffic feature, the roundabout stands as a reminder of Bintawa’s rich history as one of Kuching’s earliest fishing settlements, said MBKS Mayor Dato Wee Hong Seng.
He noted that many early Chinese immigrants settled in Bintawa due to its proximity to the Sarawak River, where fishing became their primary livelihood and supplied fresh seafood to the growing city.
The centrepiece of the roundabout features the ‘kotak’, a traditional fishing boat once widely used by Bintawa fishermen.
According to Wee, the boat stands as a symbol of the courage, determination, and resilience demonstrated by generations of local fishermen who depended on the river for their livelihoods.
“As Kuching continues to grow and modernise, we must also preserve the stories, traditions, and heritage that define our identity,” he said at the launch of the Bintawa Kotak Roundabout here this evening.
Wee explained that MBKS selected the ‘kotak’—a traditional fishing boat—as the landmark to ensure younger generations honour the Bintawa fishing community’s role in laying the foundation for Kuching’s growth.
He also thanked the Kuching Fishing Kotak Association for helping preserve the history of the traditional fishing boat and for sharing its knowledge and expertise, which made the project possible.
Wee expressed his hope that the Bintawa Kotak Roundabout will serve as a lasting reminder that, even as the city continues to modernise and develop, it must remain deeply rooted in the sacrifices and contributions of its early settlers.
Also present were MBKS Deputy Mayor Dato Zaiedi Suhaili, Bintawa community leaders, and MBKS councillors. — DayakDaily
