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ALTHOUGH it was a “moonless” night, it was a cheerful one as the Chinese community ventured outdoors in the haze to celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival in several areas here on Saturday.
Alan Lee, 39, who was spotted donning a face mask at Fo Guang Shan Malaysia in Taman Sutera here, said he would not miss the gathering despite the unpleasant conditions.
“I find myself sneezing and having dry eyes ever since the haze started.
“My mother, who is 66, is having
breathing difficulties.
“Besides our health being affected, this haze is not good for the environment,” said Lee.
At Taman Sutera Utama, Anna Tay, 42, who was also donning a mask, said she was unfazed by the haze as she joined 10 other members of Icare Cancer Support Association to enjoy a gathering organised by Tanah Sutera Development Sdn Bhd.
Tay, the founder of Icare is a cancer survivor. She was diagnosed with ovarian cancer seven years ago.
“I’m here to enjoy mooncakes and take part in the do-it-yourself soap-making and lantern-making activities,” Tay said.
The developer had prepared what is touted to be the biggest mooncake in Johor Baru, weighing 90kg and having a diameter of 102cm.
At Sunway Citrine Hub in Bandar Medini Iskandar, 20 expatriates from South Korea and Germany, among others, were seen carrying lanterns after a day-long event organised by the developer, Sunway Iskandar Sdn Bhd.
Its southern region (retail) marketing manager, Larry Tan, said the event was organised to allow the expatriates to experience the traditional Chinese celebration.
“Many of them, especially their children, were introduced to the festival for the first time and they enjoyed the activities,” he said.
In Taman Bukit Indah, many people were seen converging on the outdoor park unperturbed by the haze, and celebrating the event from 5pm to 10pm in a carnival-like atmosphere.
The Mid-Autumn Festival is a harvest festival that is celebrated on the 15th day of the eighth month of the lunar calendar, usually with a full moon in sight.
The festival is celebrated throughout the eighth lunar month, but the actual day of the Mid-Autumn Festival was last Friday.