Datuk Sebastian Ting Commends Lions Club’s Spirit of Service

suppadmin | October 7, 2025

Deputy Minister for Tourism, Sarawak, Datuk Sebastian Ting praised the Lions Club for its unwavering dedication to serving society and fostering goodwill through its international volunteer initiatives, as showcased in the “Journey of Service 4.0” (JOS 4.0) held in Kuching.

He said the event, which brought together 138 Lions members from seven countries including China, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand — truly reflected the Lions Club’s core mission of “serving humanity.” The programme was led by former International Director of Lions Clubs International and LCIF Area Leader for Area 5F, Datin Ellis Suriyati binti Omar, who also served as advisor and organising chairperson. The event took place from October 2 to 6 in Kuching.

Ting said the JOS series, initiated by Datin Ellis, first began in 2022 in Hatyai, Thailand, and was later held in Mindanao, the Philippines, and Port Dickson, Malaysia. This year’s edition in Kuching marked a significant milestone for the initiative.

“Since its founding in 1917, the Lions Club has always upheld the motto ‘We Serve.’ Today, it has grown into a global movement with over 1.4 million members across more than 200 countries. The Lions Club is not merely is a driving force for humanitarian care and social development,” he said.

He added that this year’s programme involved 37 Lions Clubs and received strong support from various agencies, including the Sarawak Forest Department, Kuching North City Hall (DBKU), Majlis Daerah Serian, the District Offices of Lundu and Sri Aman, and the Lions Nursing Home.

Ting also commended JOS 4.0 for translating the Lions Club’s six key service areas into meaningful action — namely, vision, hunger relief, environment, youth, humanitarian care, and rural service.

“The series of activities conducted throughout the programme truly embodied the spirit of unity and service,” he said.

Among the activities were free vision screenings at SK Sungai Stutong and SK St. Alban, where 100 pairs of spectacles were distributed to students in need; food aid delivery to 100 underprivileged families in Lundu and Sri Aman; the planting of 500 trees in the Simunjan Sabal Forest Reserve in collaboration with the Sarawak Forest Department; donation of school bags and stationery to underprivileged students; cleaning and mural painting at the Kuching Lions Nursing Home along with gift-giving to residents; refurbishment of bus shelters with the Serian District Council; and donation of wall fans, round tables, and plastic chairs to the Lundu Multipurpose Hall to improve community facilities.

“These acts are more than just assistance as they are gestures of compassion,” Ting said. “They show how teams from different nations can work hand in hand to serve and bring positive impact to communities in Sarawak, while also strengthening the spirit of international volunteerism.”

He added that the event also allowed international delegates to visit the Sarawak Cultural Village, museums, handicraft shops, and the Kuching Waterfront, giving them a glimpse into Sarawak’s rich cultural heritage and hospitality.

“International programmes like this not only promote volunteerism but also indirectly boost tourism. Through cultural exchange and goodwill collaboration, Sarawak can proudly showcase its diversity, inclusiveness, and warmth on the global stage,” he said.

Ting also expressed his appreciation to the Lions Club for choosing Kuching as the host city, saying it had become “a meaningful gathering point for Lions worldwide to share love and service.”