By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, April 4: The beloved cat statues at Padungan’s traffic light intersection near Tun Jugah Building have received a captivating upgrade, with their eyes now radiating the “southern soul” of purity, kindness and love through carefully crafted enhancements.
Renowned artist Gerald Goh, who previously transformed the iconic White Cat at Padungan roundabout into a friendlier landmark, lent his expertise to give these feline figures a more lively and engaging expression.
Kuching South City Council (MBKS) Mayor Dato Wee Hong Seng revealed the eye redesign followed an inclusive public voting process.
“A cat’s spirit lies in its gaze. These enhancements refine the statues’ expressions to better reflect our community’s warmth.
“After positive feedback on our first large cat statue, we expanded the concept to give each sculpture a unique personality,” he said in a recorded interview when visiting the site to inspect the touch-up work today.
The project, which began last year, involved eight different eye designs posted on MBKS’ official Facebook page for public voting. The top four most popular choices were selected for installation on the four cat statues.
“This was a democratic process where majority rules. We wanted the community to feel involved, to have a sense of ownership. After all, this city belongs to everyone, and even a cat’s eyes should reflect public preference,” Wee emphasised.
Originally planned for completion before the Lunar New Year, the installation was delayed due to rainy weather during the Hari Raya period. With fair weather returning, final touches are expected to be completed today in under an hour.
Wee stressed that MBKS would continue engaging the public in city planning projects to foster inclusivity and transparency.
“Criticism is inevitable, but we must balance all opinions. The best approach is to let the majority decide. We want Kuching to be a city where everyone feels they have a voice—whether it’s about cat statues or urban development,” he added.
The Mayor also hinted at upcoming initiatives to prepare Kuching for an ageing population by 2028, including improved accessibility in parks, markets, and shopping centres.
The revitalised cat statues now stand as a testament to community-driven urban aesthetics, further cementing Kuching’s identity as Malaysia’s “City of Cats” while strengthening the bond between residents and their urban environment. — DayakDaily
