KUCHING: Locals of different ethnicities came together to celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival at the Kuching Waterfront after two years of hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The event, which was organised by Sarawak United Peoples’ Party (SUPP) Satok branch, saw a total of 500 sets of lanterns as well as mooncakes being handed out for free to the visitors yesterday.

Present to join in the joyous occasion was the Deputy Premier Datuk Seri Prof Dr Sim Kui Hian.

SUPP Satok branch and organising chairman Goh Leng Yeu when met by reporters, said the event which was held annually in conjunction with the Mid-Autumn Festival or known as the Mooncake Festival.

“Although it is a festival celebrated by the Chinese community, we want to share the joy with everyone regardless of their ethnicities in Sarawak.

“During this occasion, we light up the lanterns, and light symbolises happiness which is very important,” he said.

He added to mark the occasion, he added, lanterns were also hung on the trees along Jalan Rambutan in Satok as well as Jalan Nanas Road West.

During the event, the public was also treated to a fire dragon dance performance.

“We brought in the dragon dance to complement the occasion. Commonly, we would see lion dance performances.

“However, it is rare to see a dragon dance performance, and this would normally be seen during the mooncake festival,” he said.

Kuching City North Mayor Datuk Junaidi Reduan was also present.

Together with the locals, they walked across the beautiful Darul Hana Bridge to enjoy the view of the moon.

Also present were Kota Sentosa assemblyman Wilfred Yap, Political Secretary to the Premier of Tan Kai, and senior lawyer Shankar Ram Asnani.