In 1988, Kuching celebrated its city status with a month-long event coinciding with Malaysia’s 25th Independence Day. Since then, the city has evolved significantly, with improved infrastructure and growth driven by its harmonious, multicultural community.
From town to thriving city
When Kuching proclaimed its city status in 1988, Kuchingites celebrated with a month-long event comprising performances, pageants, and parades. Remembering the events, Datin Dayang Mariani Abang Zain recalled that she was just an undergraduate when she attended the celebrations held at Padang Merdeka. The grand celebration also coincided with the 25th Malaysia Independence Day.
Her late father, Hj Abang Zain Hj Abang Abd Latif, who was a councillor, attended the ceremony alongside the first Kuching South City Council (MBKS) Mayor, Song Swee Guan.
“My dad used to tease me that I didn’t need to celebrate my birthday as the city was celebrating for me,” she said, revealing that her birth date is August 2.
Right after gaining city status, Kuching experienced development and evolution among its people. Mariani observed how the residents kept the city clean.
“I remember my dad encouraging us to put plastic bags in the cars to ensure that his children and grandchildren learned to put their rubbish in the bags and take it out of the cars to throw into the bins. It has become a habit of mine to this day, as I still bring home sweet wrappers and used tissue papers in my handbag,” said the 67-year-old.
The changes did not stop there — Mariani described how the city landscape evolved, with more buildings and housing areas being erected. Many associations and organisations were also established throughout the years.
Mariani’s involvement in the International Special Olympics, the International Scouts and Guides Fellowship (ISGF), and the Society for Cancer Advocacy and Awareness (SCAN) has made a remarkable impact on society. Back then, associations like these were unheard of.
“This shows the growth and development of our society into a mature nation. Growth, after all, is not just physical.”
While she looks forward to bigger things happening not just in Kuching, but in Sarawak as a whole, she applauded how far the city has come.
“We have done well, and we look forward to more happenings and growth.”
Echoing this sentiment, 77-year-old Dennis Tan agreed with Mariani, noting that having lived seven decades, he has witnessed and experienced the developments firsthand.
According to him, a prerequisite for the elevation of status was meeting minimum requirements, including continuous growth, adequate infrastructure for local domestic tourism, road communication, and other factors.
In the decades since Kuching achieved its city status, Tan has observed significant changes.
“Improvements to infrastructure in Kuching have been substantial and aimed at enhancing the local tourism industry,” said the President of the Sarawak Gerontology and Geriatrics Society (SGGS).
How a harmonious society influenced Kuching’s development
During the same celebration described by Mariani, Christina Thomas-Mamora organised a beauty pageant called the City Queen. Running for five years to commemorate the city’s status, Christina looks back at those days and notes how different things are today.
“Kuching is a melting pot of many ethnic groups who have made it their home and a place to carve out a living for their families and future generations.
“The plural nature of Kuching, where tolerance, harmony, and understanding cut across many ethnicities, has been a sustainable definition of peace and harmony. These are important pillars of continued development and progress since the early independence years, devoid of any conflict or social strife,” she said.
According to her, it was within this inherent social context that Kuching was able to create what is today a success story of development in almost all spheres of activity, providing opportunities for everyone to participate and share in the journey both up to now and into the future.
“A key factor in the development of Kuching is the growth and expansion of the infrastructure network that serves not only Kuching residents but also those living in the outlying areas of greater Kuching. With a rapidly growing population, new businesses have emerged catering to both domestic consumers and the commercial sector.”
Along with these developments came institutions of higher learning that drew students from Kuching and beyond. As the student population grew, so did the number of institutions, she added.
“The socioeconomic dynamics that have unfolded in recent times have posed new opportunities and challenges, influencing the hopes and expectations of the people as they strive for better income and an improved lifestyle.”
Christina opined that this accelerated progression curve for Kuching’s development has also provided a growth pathway for its increasingly affluent citizens.
With all that Mariani, Tan, and Christina have shared about the Kuching they grew up in — from a town to a city — it is indeed amazing how rapidly the city has grown. Once shrouded by trees and minimal architecture, today it is a sprawling development that continues to advance under its leaders.
While there is more to come for Kuching and Sarawak as a whole, today will always remain a significant date in the region’s history. Happy Kuching City Day!
