Association organises CNY Festival for 30 years
KOTA KINABALU: Minister of Special Task Datuk Teo Chee Kang commended United Sabah Chinese Communities Association Kota Kinabalu (USCCAKK) for its continuous effort in organizing the annual Chinese New Year Dragon, Unicorn and Lion Dance Festival for more than 30 years.
As an event that offers a truly Malaysian and Sabahan experience, the festival had become increasingly popular among Sabahans, Teo said during the courtesy call by USCCAKK led by its president, Datuk Susan Wong Siew Guen. Teo also accepted the invitation to attend the event as a special guest.
Describing Sabah as a melting pot of race, culture and religion, he said this cultural festival can further strengthen racial harmony and tolerance.
Teo, who is also in charge of Chinese community welfare, assured that he would assist the association in applying for a government grant in support of the festival.
Meanwhile, Susan said more than 100 unicorn, dragon and lion dance troupes were expected to participate in the event, including a 500-foot long golden dragon which would surely become one of the highlights in the festival.
She said the festival would consist of two major events, namely the unicorn, dragon and lion dance, as well as the Cultural Village exhibition, both to be held at Likas Indoor Stadium, on January 14, next year.
“The lion dance performance will start at 1pm. The guest of honor, Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Haji Aman will officiate at the grand opening ceremony at 2.30pm on January 14.”
Susan said the festival was one of the major events in Sabah during the Chinese New Year celebrations, adding that 2017 would be the Year of Rooster.
“We thank the Chief Minister for his continuous support in the past few years, and we certainly hope he will once again celebrate the Chinese New Year with us despite of his very busy schedule,”she said.
Meanwhile, the cultural village exhibition, themed ‘Chinese Tea ceremony and tradition pastries’, will start at 10am on January 14.
Consul General of the People’s Republic of China in Kota Kinabalu, Chen Peijie, has been invited to officiate and be the chief judge of the competition among 15 communal associations under USCCAKK.
Also present at the courtesy call were USCCAKK vice president Chua Kui Ting, Soo Shau Kiong, committee members Datuk Clement Yeh, Datuk Chua Soon Ping, Ling Fii Yue, Chia Fook Soon and Choi Kwok Cheung.