By Nur Ashikin Louis
KUCHING, May 2: Lai Teck Kee and Chong Jen Na have emerged winners in the “Harmonious Sarawak” Photography Competition held in conjunction with the Seng Ong Kong deity’s birthday celebration hosted by Hong San Si Temple on March 13.
The competition was organised by Kuching Hockien Association (KHA) and Sarawak Photographic Society (SPS) in collaboration with Sin Chew Daily as the media partner.
Lai who won the ‘Professional Camera’ category will bring home a RM800 cash prize after beating Chong Siat Choo (RM600) and Wee Eng Hua (RM400) in second and third places respectively.
There were also five consolation prizes of RM150 won by Lai Wooi Ping from Penang, Allan Chu Chang Loong, Chong Siat Choo, Aylwin Lim Kheng Siang and Teo Hean Teik from Penang.
Meanwhile, Chong Jen Na won the ‘Mobile Phone Camera’ category and will bring home a RM500 cash prize.
In second and third places were Kho Thong Yong (RM300) and Vincent Bong (RM200) respectively.
Additionally, five consolation prizes of RM80 were awarded to Ling Chee Tiong, Wong Tong Wei, Lim May Meei, Then Pei Tze and Chin Chee San.
The winners’ names were announced by KHA president Dato Richard Wee during a press conference at the KHA office here today.
“The ‘Professional Camera’ category recorded 32 participants with 226 entries while the ‘Mobile Phone Camera’ category recorded 18 participants with 124 entries.
“What’s even more rare is that photographers from outside Sarawak also participated in this competition. It is hoped that more local and foreign photographers will come to participate in the competition next year, and promote the culture of KHA’s Hong San Si Temple to the world,” Wee said.
At the same time, Wee explained that the photo entries for the competition were mainly based on various scenes during the Seng Ong Kong deity’s birthday celebration on March 13 at Hong San Si Temple to promote the harmonious and united social values of the multi-ethnic and multi-religion society in Sarawak.
The judges were Chan Hua Chiang who is the SPS president, Ho Teh Chan and Hamni Juni.
Wee also said an exhibition dedicated to the beautiful photos submitted for the competition would be held in due course.
“We will also try to engage with the Sarawak Museum Department whether they are able to secure us a space for a certain period for the exhibition,” he added. — DayakDaily
