Kuching South citizens bid poignant farewell to the late mayor Song Swee Guan

KUCHING, Oct 7 2026: Kuching South citizens bade a poignant farewell to the late mayor Song Swee Guan who died last Sunday. He was 84 years old.

Members of the public and staff of Kuching South City Council (MBKS) paid their last respects to the late Song at MBKS building before proceeding to the crematorium at Kuching Buddhist Village.

Kuching South City Council (MBKS) mayor Wee Hong Seng summed it up: Today is a very sad day for all of us at Kuching South.

Caption: "Your journey with us may have ended, but your place in the history and heart of Kuching South will remain forever," said the sobbing Mayor Wee.Hong Seng

"We are gathered here not only to bid farewell to the first Mayor of Kuching South, but to say goodbye to a man who meant so much to this city, to Sarawak, and personally, to me," he said between sobs when delivering his speech before the hearse carrying Song's remains proceeded to the village.

In an emotional speech, Wee said the late Song devoted a large part of his life to public service, serving as chairman of the Kuching Municipal Council, and later became the first Mayor of Kuching South when Kuching was elevated to city status in 1988. 

"He also served as a State Assemblyman, Member of Parliament and Speaker of the Sarawak State Legislative Assembly.

"He carried many titles and held many important responsibilities throughout his life," Wee said, wiping the tears from his eyes.

Caption: MBKS Mayor Wee Hong Seng becomes emotional when he delivers a speech before the hearse carrying Song's remains proceed to the Kuching Buddhist Village

He said the late Song and his team had to lay the foundation and establish the direction for the new administration of Kuching South city.

"Today, when we walk into MBKS, when we serve the people of Kuching South, and when we continue to develop this city, we are walking on a path that pioneers like Song helped to create.

"For that, every mayor who came after him owes him a debt of gratitude. I certainly do," he added.

"Even after his retirement, we continued to invite him back to MBKS because, to us, he remained part of the MBKS family.

"His presence always reminded us of where Kuching South started and of the people who built this council before us.

"In 2021, we had the privilege of renaming the Tabuan Jaya Neighbourhood Park as Mayor Song Swee Guan Park," Wee said, adding that it was a way to express gratitude to the late Song.

"Your journey with us may have ended, but your place in the history and heart of Kuching South will remain forever," said the sobbing Wee.