TYT, CM attend CNY open houses
Head of State Tun Haji Juhar Haji Mahiruddin and Chief Minister Tan Sri Musa Haji Aman visited the open houses of the Chinese community here in conjunction with the Chinese New Year celebration on Friday.
Also attended the celebration were the Head of State’s consort, Toh Puan Hajah Norlidah Tan Sri RM Jasni as well as the wife of the Chief Minister, Puan Sri Hajah Faridah Haji Tussin.
Tun Juhar and Musa and entourage visited the open house hosted by a local leader, Tan Sri Andrew Liew at Bukit Sentosa, Mile 3, Sandakan.
Later they visited the open houses hosted by Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) at Yu Yuan school and by BN leaders at Hakka hall in Mile 6.
Musa also visited the house of a PBS leader in Sungai Sibuga, Datuk Thien Fui Yun at Lake Villa, Tmn Utama, IJM.
Among those in attendance were Deputy Chief Ministers Tan Sri Joseph Pairin Kitingan of PBS and Datuk Raymond Tan of Gerakan. Others were Federal Minister of Energy, Water and Green Technology Datuk Dr Maximus Ongkili, Minister of Special Tasks, Datuk Teo Chee Kang of LDP, Datuk Edward Khoo of MCA and other BN leaders.
In the upper interior, the Chinese communities there celebrated Chinese New Year in a modest but lively atmosphere with the presence of family members and friends of various races and religions.
The atmosphere of excitement was already felt ten days before the celebration with various programs and exciting events such as visits by Barisan Nasional (BN) and opposition leaders, Chinese New Year festival, bazaar, singing competition held by the Chinese Chamber of Commerce, Chinese associations, Urban Community Committee (JKDB) in Keningau and Tenom.
Among the activities were the lion, unicorn and dragon dances in town area and the Chinese New Year open houses.
For Teo Min Ti and his wife, Fung Thau Yung, they still continue their tradition of open house at their residence in Tenom on the first day of the celebration.
Teo’s son, Leonard said the open house could strengthen family bonds and solidarity among relatives and friends who are staying far apart.
“We as a family invite all friends and relatives to get together to celebrate the Chinese New Year celebrations as a sign of gratitude and thanks as well as to foster lasting friendships,” he said.
Leonard, who is also vice chairman of Keningau MCA, said the lion dances also warmed the atmosphere of the open house, which has became a tradition to this community celebrating Chinese New Year.
“Normally, according to Chinese belief, lion dances, in addition to adding excitement, also bring good luck to the house owners,” he said.
According to him, the dance also maintains the culture and traditions of the community, especially during the festival held every year.
“I believe, with the participation of all people in any celebration in this country, it also contributes to the strength and raises awareness about the importance of unity in generating economic development and political stability in this country,” he said.
Meanwhile, Kapitan Peter Ma Kin Yi and his family from Keningau who attended the open house, said although celebrations were only on a modest scale, it brought a big impact to the community beginning with the family reunion dinner until the celebration together on the first and second days of Chinese New Year.
Peter said the participation of all communities in this festival would strengthen the sense of belonging and solidarity and strengthen the spirit of 1Malaysia.
Tenom Umno Youth chief Jamawi Jaafar and Umno information chief Esar Andamas, also attended the open house.
In Tawau, members of the Tawau Reporters Association (TRA) visited their honorary life chairman and honorary chairmen during the Chinese New Year (CNY).
On the first day of Chinese New Year, the Tawau Reporters Association (TRA) visited honorary life chairman Datuk Lu Chu Kong at his residence at Green Garden.
Lu who maintained the culture of open house, presented the club with a cheque to carry out its program for this year.
On the second day, TRA visited its honorary chairman, Chok Guan Ming, at his residence at Sin Onn Road.
Led by TRA chairman Hiew Chee Hing, the members also visited its honorary chairman, Pang Ah Foh, at his residence at Taman Thien Vun and Michael Ng at his residence at Taman Lily, Sin Onn.
Meanwhile, Parti Bersatu Sabah Tg Batu Youth chief Jhasarry Kang invited party members and friends to his parents’ residence at Taman Emas on the first day of CNY.