Plans afoot to turn Bau into centre of Chap Goh Mei celebration in Sarawak
There are plans to make this town the centre of Chap Goh Mei celebration in Sarawak, says Deputy Minister of Transport Dato Henry Harry Jinep.
According to the Tasik Biru assemblyman, this occasion has always been a grand event here, with a parade involving hundreds of participants representing all ethnic groups in the state.
“We will try to realise it. With the support from the temple committees and other groups, we will apply (to the Tourism Ministry) for the Chap Goh Mei festival in Bau to be recognised as an annual tourism event, and for Bau to be the centre of this festival in Sarawak,” he told reporters when met after participating in the Bau Chap Goh Mei 2024 parade here yesterday.
Involving over 130 contingents, the procession took almost three hours to complete the route as the participants went around Bau town.
The starting point was the historical Tokong (Temple) Bo Lo Tsien Tse at Jalan Bong Loh Sian, where after the flag-off at 8am, the participants proceeded to passing various checkpoints across town.
A large group of spectators, including those coming from outside Bau, came to watch the spectacular parade, which also incorporated dragon and lion dance performances.
Henry was joined by his wife Datin Christina Esni.
According to him, the parade is held annually in Bau to mark the 15th day of the Lunar New Year.
“This year is the ‘Year of the Dragon’.
“They say this is a year that will bring prosperity, health, happiness, harmony and so on, and we welcome it in a multiracial way – meaning not only for the Chinese people, but also those from other ethnic groups.”
He added that apart from Bau town, two other locations in Bau District also holding Chap Goh Mei celebrations are Musi and Siniawan.
“This has become a multiracial celebration. Some even fly in from Kuala Lumpur to be a part of this celebration,” he said.
Meanwhile, Bau Chinese community leader Pemanca Bong Jong Long said the Chap Goh Mei celebrations here had always been special due to the participation of people from the non-Chinese community.
“This year, the celebration is noticeably grander than previous ones – probably because many could not come out to celebrate it during the past two years, due to the Covid-19 pandemic,” he said.