CNY atmosphere at aerobics session

KOTA KINABALU: Over the last few days, the greeting ‘Gong Xi Fa Cai’ has been heard over and over again, mostly at open houses of Chinese-based political parties as well as Chinese Malaysians in general and Sabahans in particular.

But on Sunday, the greeting was said at a rather unlikely place - the Tuaran town field. The occasion was an aerobics session organised by the Sports and Culture Bureaus of Wanita Umno Tuaran.

Conducting the 40-minute session was the Aerodance team of Tuaran and Tamparuli and they made sure that one of the songs accompanying the aerobics was a Chinese New Year song and part of the lyrics went Gong Xi Gong Xi Gong Xi Ni.

Among the hundreds of participants were Tuaran Umno divisional chief Datuk Seri Hj Hajiji Hj Noor, Wanita Umno chief Jamaliah Antalib and her deputy Khatizah Datuk Dahlan, and divisional vice-chief Kassim Razali.

Also present were Sports Bureau chief Rashidah Rastam and Culture Bureau chief Haryati Kahim.

Hajiji who is also Local Government and Housing Minister, praised the Wanita movment for organising the event, saying that a healthy body makes a healthy mind.

He noted that while doing exercise through the aerobics, the Wanita members did not forget to wish their Chinese counterparts a happy Chinese New Year.

Hajiji who is Sulaman assemblyman, paid tribute to the contributions of the Wanita members to the party, adding that “behind every successful is a woman”.

Also present were Tuaran District Chief OKK Mohd Daud Hj Sedek and Sabah Parks Board of Trustees deputy chairman Datuk Patrick Jilan.

Meanwhile, Rashidah in her speech thanked the few hundred participants who included members of Barisan Nasional component parties and nongovernmental organisations.