Miri Hakka Association celebrates mid-autumn festival
MIRI: Miri Hakka Association jointly hosted a dinner for representatives and members from its seven member associations to celebrate midautumn festival at Boulevard Restaurant here Saturday.
It was attended by representatives from Miri Thai Poo association, Miri Hopoh association, Miri Vui Ning association, Miri Kaying association, Miri Guang Ning association and Miri Lung Chuan association
Assistant Minister for Tourism, Arts and Culture Datuk Lee Kim Shin who officiated at the dinner, lauded the association for holding such an event to promote unity in the Chinese community.
“Members of these Hakka associations come from different backgrounds but share one common trait-they converse in Hakka. We are actually one big family. Instead of differences the associations must inculcate the sense of unity among ‘relatives’,” said Lee who is also the president of Miri Hakka Association.
As this is the first gathering on such a huge scale, Lee encouraged the association to continue organising such events and assured his continual support by pledging RM5, 000 to defray the expenses for the evening.
After his opening speech, Lee accompanied by Miri Hakka Association chairman, Kapitan Chong Ah Muk and the association’s permanent honourable adviser, Tan Sri Peter Chin Fah Kui and representatives of the six association cut the mooncake to launch the event.
Lee then handed over the flag to Tong Shih Yee chairman of Miri Thai Poo association who will be the host for next year.
“We look forward to an even bigger celebration in the near future with a thousand people,” Lee said to the delight and loud applause of all present.