KUCHING, April 11: Ethnic non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and higher learning institutes have jumped on board the ‘Sarawak’s Pride — Most Number of Unity Short Stories’ project to encourage more participation from the public.
Project organisers Yayasan Perpaduan Sarawak (YPS) and Sarawak Development Institute (SDI) have briefed representatives from various ethnic associations, government agencies, universities and other organisations to get them to assist in promoting the project.
“As Kuching will be celebrating its 31st anniversary as a city, and its 4th year since being accorded the title ‘City of Unity’, the aim of this project is to collect short stories on unity from all walks of life in Sarawak to be shared with everyone so that they understand why unity is our pride and how unity may be further enhanced.
“Even though Kuching was given the recognition as City of Unity, unity is, in fact, an identity of the whole of Sarawak,” YPS chief executive Datu Aloysius Dris said at the briefing here today.
SDI chief executive officer Lelia Sim was also present.
The Sarawak’s Pride — Most Number of Unity Short Stories project, launched on Feb 12, is a record attempt to showcase the pride for Sarawak by collecting the most number of unity-themed short stories for the Malaysia Book of Records (MBR) attempt.
“Although MBR has given the criteria that 1,000 short stories would be required to create the record, the number of submissions is not the primary goal. More importantly, is that all the stories about our unity in Sarawak can be shared and told.
“To collect 1,000 stories from members of the public or to achieve our goals of promoting unity as Sarawak’s Pride, we need help from various groups and organisations to promote this project,” Aloysius said.
Meanwhile, Sim revealed that selected stories would be showcased at a walk-through maze, which will be set up at the Kuching Waterfront on Aug 1 in conjunction with the Kuching City Day celebration.
Certificate of participation will also be issued to those whose stories are selected. Special prizes are up for grabs for the best top three stories from each division across Sarawak.
Also present at the briefing were representatives from Dayak Bidayuh National Association; Federation of Chinese Association of Kuching, Samarahan and Serian Divisions; Sarawak Dayak National Union; Lun Bawang Development Society Sarawak; Amanah Khairat Yayasan Budaya Melayu Sarawak; Federation of Orang Ulu Malaysia and Orang Ulu National Association.
Those interested to submit their short stories can email sarawakpride@gmail.com or fill up an online form at YPS website www.yps.org.my.
Entries can also be submitted to SDI via its WhatsApp at 013-6718063.
For more information or promotional assistance on the protect, do contact the organisers at 082-415484. — DayakDaily
