MBKS mayor urges public to give constructive feedback to improve Kuching Fest
KUCHING: Kuching South City Council ( MBKS) Mayor Datuk James Chan hopes that the public will give constructive feedback on the Kuching Festival instead of simply posting their complaints online to get attention.
“Some people complain that things are expensive, and I spoke to some of the sellers who are just young kids trying to run a business for the first time and they said that some of the materials or ingredients are expensive — that is why the price is like that. It ( price) is not (due to) the rent that is charged by the council because for over 60 per cent of the stalls, we only charge RM500 for 24 days, which is very reasonable,” said Chan at a press conference yesterday.
He said that the rent is inclusive of the electricity, tables, chairs and cleaning crew. Even the nightly entertainment is free, he said.
He cited an example a few days ago during the heavy rain which saw the Kuching Festival venue flooded. A video of the flood water at the venue was posted online.
“It happened at 3pm – the f looding was not just at the Kuching Festival grounds only, but everywhere. By 5pm to 5.30pm the water had receded and the festival went on as normal in the evening. No one was really affected at the festival.
“It is very important for those who are using social media to support Kuching activities. If it (criticism) is real, I can accept it and make the festival even better but if it is just to create popularity, for show, don’t. Kuching Fest is for the people to enjoy themselves and to let the young people try entrepreneurship.
“Show your support, give constructive comments, we do good things also. Compliment us, don’t just complain. It is not good to project on just a small negative aspect. You should be a good citizen to help us promote Kuching Festival for the people, for everybody.”
He also advised the public that if they feel something is expensive, to just buy one item, and not four.
He pointed out that comparing two stalls selling similar items, one at RM4 and the other RM8, people would still queue up at the RM8 stall instead.
Meanwhile, Kuching Festival organising chairman Cr Mohd Taufik Abdul Ghani said that the whole festival is self-financing.
The junior staff who are eligible for overtime are paid from the festival’s proceeds and not using ratepayers’ money, he said.
“Our staff, they work day and night at the festival. We have a few hundred staff working for the 24 days. Junior staff are entitled to overtime pay but not senior staff. The senior staff are on duty voluntarily to make sure the festival is running well.”
Meanwhile, when asked about a rumour that he recently underwent an operation, Chan said that it was not true. He only has high blood pressure and is taking steps to improve it.
“I don’t know what is the motive of the people spreading this (rumour). It is not true. If I just had surgery, I won’t be able to speak to you guys today.”