KUCHING, April 14: The predominantly Chinese Hakka community of Bau town recently welcomed the Lao People’s Democratic Republic (Laos) ambassador to Malaysia, the honourable Houmdaophone Soukhaseum who came with his family to personally experience and learn about the historical roots of the Hakka people in Sarawak.
Soukhaseum’s visit to Bau town was led by Malaysia Hakka Cultural Society Sarawak branch president Michael Leong and they were welcomed at a reception by the Bau Chinese Miners’ Historical Heritage and Cultural Society president and local community leaders, Pemanca Bong Yanglang, Bau Town Penghulu Liu Zhouxian and others .
He and his entourage were also briefed on the culture and customs of local Hakka in Sarawak and also about the other rich local customs in the state’s multiracial and religious community.
Among the places Soukhaseum visited while there were Bau Lake, the Temple of God Huang Laoxian, and the monument to Liu Shanbang at Pangkalan Tebang before being treated to dinner.
During the dinner, he met Tasik Biru assemblyman Datuk Henry Harry Jinep who shared with him on Bau’s development and tourism prospects.
Soukhaseum said he was deeply touched by the hospitality of the people here and he praised the Sarawak Hakka for their efforts to preserve their culture and heritage.
He said that his visit to Bau was a memorable occasion for him and his family as it was also coincided with the Laos New Year.
After the dinner and to end his visit to Bau, Soukhaseum and his entourage visited the famous Siniawan Night Market before returning to Kuching city. — DayakDaily
