CNY Carnival moved to Padang Merdeka Jan 23
KOTA KINABALU: The Chinese New Year Carnival jointly organized by the Federation of Chinese Associations Sabah (FCAS) and Kota Kinabalu City Hall (DBKK) will be held at Padang Merdeka on January 23 to 26, from 6pm to 11pm.
The carnival was supposed to be held at Gaya Street on January 20 to 22 before the organizing committee decided to move the dates and venue.
Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Musa Haji Aman will officiate at the opening ceremony of the carnival at 7pm on January 23, while Minister of Special Tasks Datuk Teo Chee Kang will officiate at the closing ceremony at 7pm on January 26.
Meanwhile, the FCAS Social and Welfare Bureau will host a dinner for senior citizens and orphans on January 24, when the Chief Minister’s wife, Datin Seri Panglima Faridah Tussin, will give away ang pows and goodie bags as a sign of respect for the elderly.
On the other hand, Assistant Minister to the Chief Minister Datuk Edward Yong Oui Fah will grace the event on January 25.
FCAS President Datuk Seri Panglima Dr TC Goh said the organizing committee, headed by the federation’s vice president Datuk Susan Wong Siew Guen, had been formed and was currently preparing for the event.
He said the carnival would present an exciting line-up of entertainment programmes such as singing and dancing by students, traditional Chinese cultural shows, as well as dragon and lion dance performances.
“Apart from booths selling Chinese New Year goods and foodstuff, we are also holding four open competitions, namely children’s talent contest, singing competition, dance competition and cheongsam pageant contest.
“We hope to attract people of all age groups to the carnival where the people can celebrate Chinese New Year together,” he said after a meeting with Mayor Datuk Yeo Boon Hai at the DBKK building here recently.
Although the carnival was moved to a later date to fit into the Chief Minister’s schedule, Goh said the event would be equally exciting and joyous as previous years.
“With days to go before Chinese New Year, I believe KK folks will find themselves immersed in strong festive atmosphere as we enter the Year of the Rooster.”
Goh added that carnival goers could also continue their Chinese New Year shopping at the night market after the carnival ended on January 26.
He said Chinese New Year is a major and most important festival celebrated by the Chinese community.
As such, Goh urged Chinese leaders and people to join in the four-day carnival.
“Let us show the strong unity of the Chinese community and together make an effort in preserving and promoting our culture.”
Also present were FCAS Vice Presidents Datuk Chua Soon Ping and Datuk Agnes Shim.