KUCHING: Kuching’s famous White Cat statue along Jalan Padungan is all decked up to usher in the Christmas festivities.
The cat’s Santa costume, complemented by Christmas lights and ornaments, is an ongoing initiative by the Kuching South City Council to celebrate festive occasions.
“This year, our theme focuses on sharing joy and hope with everyone, regardless of race, religion or background,” Kuching South mayor Datuk Wee Hong Seng said.
He said dressing the cat for different festive seasons showed that in Sarawak, everyone celebrates together as one community, while respecting each other’s culture.
“I hope these decorations bring a smile to people’s faces and remind us to keep the spirit of peace, unity and mutual understanding alive,” he said.
Wee also said the cat’s different costumes throughout the year have become an attraction that tourists and locals alike look forward to.
“Even now, we are already starting to think about what it will wear for Chinese New Year,” he added.
Meanwhile, one of the oldest shops in the city is continuing its practice of putting up decorations to celebrate festive occasions, including Christmas.
Located at Jalan Datuk Ajibah Abol in front of the Kuching City Mosque, Kedai Runcit Abdul Wahet is a colourful sight with Christmas trees, garlands and giant red bows decorating its facade.
Inside, baubles and trinkets hang from the ceiling, adding to the festive atmosphere.
Mohd Jaya Idris, who runs the shop with his uncle Fazan Abdul Wahet, said he enjoys putting up decorations to celebrate Sarawak’s major festivals.
“Every year I will decorate the shop, not just for Christmas but also for Chinese New Year, Hari Raya and Gawai.
“Celebrating together is part of Sarawak’s culture. We have so many friends from different races and many of us come from mixed-heritage families.
“So I love to do this for Sarawak, and I’m very proud of it,” he said when met yesterday.
The shop, which is nearly a century old, has become known for its festive adornments for more than a decade now.
“People come to see the decorations, and my customers also like them,” Mohd Jaya said, adding that he plans to put up Chinese New Year decorations early next year.
Mohd Jaya’s late grandfather established the shop in 1939 as a bakery selling local bread.
It became a sundry shop in the 1970s and now sells local tidbits, Sarawak kek lapis (layer cake), curry paste and spices.
“We hope to maintain the shop and the tradition of decorating it every festive season,” Mohd Jaya said.
