Welcome Rakan Sarawak June 2005

Rangkaian Khidmat Awam Negeri Sarawak

A MONTHLY SUPPLEMENT OF RAKAN SARAWAK BULLETIN

(People, events, activities and programmes which make for a total quality-managed Sarawak Civil Service)

ISSN 1394-5726

Online Publisher:

Contents provided by:

Friendly Neighbourhood As A Way Of Life
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Cultural performances during the closing ceremony of Kejiranan Mesra Tabuan on 10 June 2005

"The concept of a good neighbour needs to be build. It is not already existing,” stated the Chief Minister of Sarawak, YAB Pehin Sri Dr. Haji Abdul Taib Mahmud, in his speech when he officially launched the Kejiranan Mesra Tabuan community programme on 9 June 2005. Sarawak has come a long way to achieve the level of progress of today following its hard earned independence on 16 September 1963. With rapid economic development, Kuching, the Capital of Sarawak, has become a thriving garden city with higher educated and affluent residents. This however has brought about increasing anonymity and isolation from one another in a modern and changing society.

“Human beings need balance and a human environment to grow well emotionally, mentally and physically,” expressed the Chief Minister. The days of living in a close-knit village, where you know and were able to befriend every neighbour are becoming a thing of the past. It is therefore important to organize regular community-based programmes and activities to encourage fellowship building amongst the people. “It is through mutual cooperation and social interaction that we as people could make a success of ourselves and our country,” added the Mayor of Kuching City South, YB Chan Seng Khai.

Kejiranan Mesra is a community-based programme that aims to provide an interactive environment and opportunity for people to communicate and bond with each other despite the diversity in culture, religion and ethnicity. First in a series of similar programmes to be initiated this year by the Council of Kuching City South (MBKS) in areas under its jurisdiction, Kejiranan Mesra Tabuan serves to enhance friendly neighbourhood ties and promote a caring society.

According to the Chief Minister, the 5 basic factors necessary to build a progressive and caring society where friendly neighbourhood is a way of life are:
• Safe city/ town
• Clean and beautiful place
• Healthy city
• Comfortable environment to live
• Socially and culturally interactive


The Chief Minister cuts the ribbon to officially launch Kejiranan Mesra Tabuan	The Chief Minister takes a moment to help a little girl with her swing at the Tabuan Jaya Neigbourhood Park during his site tour

The nature of human beings is to enjoy meaningful activities with others. The more friends, the higher the enjoyment level,” revealed the Chief Minister. There were numerous interesting activities organized for Kejiranan Mesra Tabuan from 9-10 June 2005. These encompassed cultural performances, talent search, sporting events, cooking demonstrations, health talks, public awareness exhibitions, blood donation drive, folk dance displays and bird singing for the enjoyment of Tabuan Jaya residents and visitors alike. More than a thousand turned out to view the various activities held at the Tabuan Jaya Neighbourhood Park.

The two-day event involved the participation of about 35 community groups comprising of government agencies, community associations, NGOs, schools, the private sector and so forth. “The Kejiranan Mesra Tabuan is only a reality because of the efforts and commitment of the communities and people in those communities,” said the Organizing Chairman of Kejiranan Mesra Tabuan, Cr. Pang Kim Soo.


The champion of the talent search for the 12 and below category is a 4-year old boy doing an Orang Ulu ethnic dance	The Chief Minister spent some time greeting various members of the community associations at the event