Oil Town Chinese Cultural Festival to Launch in September: Arts, Cuisine, and Family Activities Shine Together

(Miri, 5th) The Federation of Chinese Associations of Miri Division (Miri Chinese Federation) will hold the 2026 Oil Town Chinese Cultural Festival on Saturday, September 12th, from 6pm to 10pm, at the Water Music Corridor of Eastwood Golf Club. The festival will feature an exciting lineup of activities integrating cultural, artistic, culinary, and family-friendly elements.

Recently, Miri Chinese Federation President Hsu Sin Long, led by Deputy President and Festival Organizing Chairman Penghulu Fong Fung Kim, along with their team, made a courtesy visit to Sarawak Minister of Transport Dato Sri Lee Kim Shin, Sarawak Deputy Minister of Tourism Dato Sebastian Ting, and Miri Mayor Yii Siew San to update them on the event preparations and invite their attendance.

This year’s cultural festival offers a rich and diverse program, including the Cultural Festival Gala, the “Yii Siew San Cup” Northern Sarawak Inter-school Poetry Recitation Competition, the “Dato Sebastian Ting Cup” Northern Sarawak Inter-school Crosstalk Competition, the promotion of regional specialty cuisine, and showcases of eight traditional Chinese arts—qin (zither), chess, calligraphy, painting, poetry, wine, flowers, and tea. There will also be a Mid-Autumn coloring contest suitable for all ages.

Additionally, the festival will hold a launch ceremony at 6pm on Sunday, August 30th at Miri Fan-shaped Park, starting with a lighting ceremony for the commemorative monument “Hundred Family Surnames”—named “Cheng Qi” (meaning “inherit and initiate”)—symbolizing the enduring flame and continuous legacy of Chinese culture.

Hsu Sin Long, on behalf of the current council, sincerely thanked all affiliated associations for their trust and support during the member assembly and council election in October last year, enabling the team to shoulder the responsibility of serving the Chinese community and promoting the development of the federation. He also thanked past honorary presidents, honorary advisors, as well as businesspeople and community leaders who have continuously supported the federation. Thanks to their efforts and support, the federation has been able to continue developing and successfully launch the inaugural Oil Town Chinese Cultural Festival.

He said that since its founding in 1980 by forebearers like Dato Tze Jin Sing, the Miri Chinese Federation has spanned 46 years. Generations of pioneers came from the south to settle and take root, establish associations, and unite the community, all to ensure that Chinese culture can be passed on and that associations can continue organizing various cultural and charitable events.

He pointed out that predecessors put in their time, energy, and resources without seeking anything in return, all because of their commitment to their original intent. It is this commitment that has carried the federation through 46 years and allows the next generation to continue the mission of passing on Chinese culture.

He believes that as long as everyone works together and continues to hold the cultural festival year after year, in 10 or 20 years when they look back at today, they will surely feel gratified. The next generation will also feel proud that Miri has a Chinese cultural festival of its own and will keep passing on this cultural spirit.

He hopes this cultural festival will become a platform for unity within Miri’s Chinese community, a brand for cultural heritage, and an important bridge for communication and cooperation between all affiliated associations. He calls on all parties to work together, not only to make the first festival a success but to make every future edition even more wonderful.