{"id":19072,"date":"2022-11-16T12:03:00","date_gmt":"2022-11-16T04:03:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rakansarawak.com\/v3\/?p=19072"},"modified":"2022-11-15T13:39:00","modified_gmt":"2022-11-15T05:39:00","slug":"greater-connectivity-key-to-elevating-kuching-city%ef%bf%bc","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rakansarawak.com\/v4\/2022\/11\/16\/greater-connectivity-key-to-elevating-kuching-city%ef%bf%bc\/","title":{"rendered":"Greater Connectivity Key to Elevating Kuching City\ufffc"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

To strengthen Kuching City\u2019s position as the gateway to Sarawak, the Sarawak Government is taking a forward-looking approach through its smart city initiatives, including enhancing the city\u2019s connectivity by improving its public transport.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIn any city, the public transport reflects the standard of that particular city.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThat is why the Sarawak Government is embarking on smart public transport using hydrogen-powered vehicles, including buses as well as autonomous rapid rail transit… to (uplift) standard of public transport in Kuching,\u201d said<\/a> YAB Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri (Dr) Abang Haji Abdul Rahman Zohari bin Tun Datuk Abang Haji Openg.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Hydrogen fuel cell buses spotted in Kuching. Photo from REFIRE<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

In his remarks<\/a> during the 34th<\/sup> anniversary celebration of Kuching City Day on 6 August 2022, the Premier of Sarawak added that investing in the aforementioned sustainable transport system will in turn elevate Kuching\u2019s status as a developed and smart city in Sarawak.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It will also support the State\u2019s travel and tourism development recovery as it transitions into the endemic stage of COVID-19, with the city being one of the national winners<\/a> of the ASEAN Clean Tourist City Standard for 2022-2024.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Furthermore, it has been recognised<\/a> as “a Creative City of Gastronomy”<\/a> by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) since November 2021, and is now part of the UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN).<\/p>\n\n\n

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Kuching is now a Creative City of Gastronomy, recognised by UNESCO in November 2021. Photo from Sarawak Tourism <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

The network<\/a> advocates for creativity to be the impetus of sustainable urban development across seven creative fields \u2013 crafts and folk arts, design, film, gastronomy, literature, media arts, and music.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThis is a prestigious recognition for our food heritage and diversity, with their roots in our gastronomy communities from earth to plate, meaning from cultivation right up to the table,\u201d commended the Premier.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He noted that with all these acknowledgements Kuching has received in recent years, the most important aspect of the city as a major tourist destination is \u201cthe unique culture of Sarawak\u201d that is sustained and protected whether through cultural displays at the Borneo Cultures Museum or exemplifications from Sarawakians themselves.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe are very fortunate that we have a very stable government. We have citizens that are more united, that respect each other in spite of the fact that we come from various ethnic backgrounds and religious faiths, (and yet) are able to live under one roof as if we are in one family,\u201d he elaborated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Earlier, the Premier congratulated the mayors and staff of Dewan Bandaraya Kuching Utara<\/em> (DBKU) and Majlis Bandaraya Kuching Selatan<\/em> (MBKS) for their hard work in transforming Kuching from a small town to a major city for the past 34 years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He also praised the local authorities for their efforts in supporting the people living there, including hawkers, small traders and ordinary citizens, throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, in conjunction with assistance provided by the Sarawak Government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe government has introduced (Post COVID-19 Development Strategy 2030) and the local authorities will be playing their part together with the government in order to provide the basic needs of its citizens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI hope that the society will respond to the various initiatives by the government to help recover from the pandemic,\u201d he expressed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The Significance of Being a City of Gastronomy<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Kuching, food has been part and parcel of not only in everyday life, but also in its cultural and tourism calendar.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All one needs to do to find local and indigenous food in the city is to attend its renowned tourism events, be they the Rainforest World Music Festival, Kuching Jazz Festival, Sarawak Regatta or Kuching Festival Food Fair.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Kuching Festival Food Fair, an annual event in conjunction with Kuching City Day. Photo from Sarawak Tourism Board<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Being recognised as a Creative City of Gastronomy by UNESCO adds more value to Kuching as a major tourist destination. With such recognition, however, comes greater responsibilities that include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n