04-07-2025
Sibu still best town outside Greater China in preserving Chinese culture, says Tiang
(From seventh left) Ting, Chieng, Tiang, Lau and others participating in the ribbon cutting to launch the Food Festival and Cultural Street at the BCF on Friday.
SIBU (July 4): Sibu remains the most comprehensive and complete guardian of Chinese culture outside of China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan, said Sarawak Deputy Minister for Public Health, Housing and Local Government, Datuk Michael Tiang.
He praised the unity among the town's Chinese community, noting that people from different dialect groups celebrate together with openness, inclusiveness, and mutual respect.
'They are continuing our cultural legacy, rejecting extreme racism, and working hand-in-hand and heart-to-heart to accelerate the Sarawak government's development policies for ethnic unity that has become a unique attraction,' he said during the launch of the Food Festival and Cultural Street, held in conjunction with the Borneo Cultural Festival (BCF) 2025 at the Sibu Town Square last night.
Also present were Bukit Assek assemblyman Joseph Chieng, Sibu Municipal Council chairman Clarence Ting and United Chinese Association (UCA) president Lau Ing Siong.
Tiang said the Chinese community must take collective responsibility for preserving their ancestral folk culture, which he described as deeply rooted and irreplaceable by modern technology.
He emphasised the need to uphold and promote the community's history and heritage, highlighting that the century-old legacy of the Chinese in Sibu offers a rich and memorable cultural experience.
He expressed hope that the event would further strengthen community bonds and contribute to a vibrant, dignified celebration of culture, helping to realise Sibu's vision of prosperity.
Tiang also noted that the BCF, now in its 22nd year since it began in 2003, continues to grow in prominence.
'Every year, the number of visitors and group performances bring new highlights to both locals and international tourists, not only boosting Sibu's cultural branding but also showcasing the rich diversity of Sibu and Sarawak – in ethnicity, culture, and religion – a core value Sibu residents are proud of,' he said.
He called on leaders of various associations to use the festival to highlight their dialect groups' unique cuisines, with English translations provided where possible to aid international visitors.
'I believe only by branding and packaging our cuisine well can we preserve its cultural value and uniqueness,' he said.
Although the BCF spans just 10 days, Tiang expressed confidence that it would offer an engaging and authentic Chinese cultural experience. BCF 2025 Chinese culture Michael Tiang Sibu
