By Amanda L
KUCHING, Feb 2: The Kenyalang Chinese New Year Festival Sale has once again showcased Sarawak’s multicultural identity, with traders from diverse communities coming together in what Kuching South City Council (MBKS) mayor Dato Wee Hong Seng described as a “mini Sarawak” within the marketplace.
Speaking at the festival’s launch at Kenyalang Park today, Wee said the bazaar brought together vendors of all races, offering a wide range of products, from kampung-based goods to creative homemade cookies, reflecting Sarawak’s diversity and creativity.
“This is almost like a mini Sarawak. You have all races selling all types of products. Our local products are here, and you also see creative cookies and many other items. There are more choices and surprises compared with shopping centres,” he told reporters.
Wee noted that the Kenyalang bazaar, believed to be the oldest Chinese New Year (CNY) market in Kuching, is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year.
He added that more than 350 applications were received, with 297 traders selected to participate.
Wee also said that many stalls were operated by families, couples and small home-based entrepreneurs, making the bazaar more than just a commercial space but also a social platform where communities interact and reconnect.
“This is not just a simple market. It is a gathering for everybody. People meet old friends, people connect, and people from different races buy from one another. It is a melting pot,” he said.
Wee also highlighted MBKS’s efforts to keep the bazaar inclusive and affordable, noting that the council has maintained low rental rates so that traders can offer products at reasonable prices, describing the approach as a form of ‘circular economy’ that benefits both hawkers and consumers.
Touching on the sustainability of traditional markets, Wee said MBKS has continued to subsidise market rentals since its establishment in 1988 without increasing rates, in order to support traders and local farmers.
He said the ‘Love Our Markets’ campaign was introduced to encourage younger generations to patronise traditional markets and ensure their long-term survival, warning that overreliance on supermarkets could limit consumer choices and threaten local agricultural producers.
Looking ahead, Wee announced that the upcoming Raya Bazaar will be held during the Chinese New Year period, further strengthening inter-community interaction through shared festive spaces.
“We want to see all races working in the same place and exchanging ideas on food, drinks, cookies and cakes. This is how Sarawak moves forward. We must continue to create platforms for creativity and unity,” he emphasised.
Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian was present earlier to launch the Kenyalang Chinese New Year Festival Sale. — DayakDaily
