KUCHING (May 29): There was a time when kerosene or gas lamps using kerosene were the ‘close companions’ of ‘perahu tambang’ (water taxis) around Kuching Waterfront, especially when transporting passengers at night.

However, today, most of Sarawak’s iconic water taxis, which have existed for centuries, are now equipped with solar panels on their roofs. This helps generate power to illuminate various decorative lights installed on the boats.