The Borneo Post

Coffee shops where unity manifested – Soon Koh

- By Jane Moh reporters@theborneop­ost.com

SIBU: The traditiona­l coffee shops here are where unity in a multiracia­l community is manifested, says Second Finance Minister and Minister of Local Government and Community Developmen­t Dato Sri Wong Soon Koh.

He said this at the Sibu Coffee Shop Associatio­n’s 69th anniversar­y gathering at the civic centre here Tuesday evening.

He said people from different racial background work together at coffee shops to serve their customers.

“We don’t have negative sentiments such as religious issue to cause us any problem. Coffee shops here are truly a representa­tion of 1Malaysia concept,” he said.

Wong said the uniqueness of Sibu should be something that its people should be proud of.

With Visit Sibu Year 2016 fast approachin­g, he urged coffee shop operators to work with the local government to ensure the success of this important event in the town’s calendar.

“Coffee shops create an image for Sibu, whether good or bad. It depends very much on how you operate your business.That is why, it is important to work with the local authority especially in

We don’t have negative sentiments such as religious issue to cause us any problem. Coffee shops here are truly a representa­tion of 1Malaysia concept.

benefit and the benefit of their customers.

On the goods and services tax ( GST), Wong said its implementa­tion from next month might have some affect on coffee shop business.

He, however, hastened to allay their fear, saying the government would keep an eye on how GST would affect the people.

President Singapore

of Coffee MalaysiaMe­rchant Proprietor­s’ Associatio­n Ho Su Mong, Sibu Coffee Shops Associatio­n chairman Tong Ing Kok, Sarawak Coffee Shops Associatio­n chairman Donny Hii, Temenggong Vincent Lau and Kapitan Datuk Janet Lau were among those at the function.

Later, Wong announced an allocation of RM20,000 for Malaysia- Singapore Coffee Merchant Proprietor­s’ Associatio­n; RM10,000 for Sibu Coffee Shops Associatio­n, and RM5,000 for Sarawak Coffee Shop Associatio­n.

Dato Sri Wong Soon Koh, Second Finance Minister and Minister of Local Government and Community Developmen­t

 ??  ?? Lau (left), (from fourth left) Hii, Wong, Tong and Ho pose with the lucky draw winners.
Lau (left), (from fourth left) Hii, Wong, Tong and Ho pose with the lucky draw winners.
 ??  ?? Desmond (seated far left) and Dr Edwin (centre) with the committee at the press conference.
Desmond (seated far left) and Dr Edwin (centre) with the committee at the press conference.

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