KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 31 — In keeping with tradition, the Chinese community welcome their friends, colleagues and neighbours to the Chinese New Year (CNY) open house today.
People from all walks of life thronged the MCA open house at Wisma MCA in Jalan Ampang and the Gerakan Open House at Menara PGRM, Jalan Pudu Ulu.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak and wife Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor, his deputy Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin and wife Puan Sri Noorainee Abdul Rahman were among dignitaries present at the MCA open house.
On hand to welcome them were MCA president Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai and party leaders.
Gerakan president Datuk Mah Siew Keong and former president Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon were also busy entertaining guests at the party’s open house at Dewan Wawasan, Wisma PGRM.
Najib and Rosmah arrived at the Gerakan open house to the beat of the lion dance drums while they were greeted by Mah and other Gerakan leaders.
Also present were Muhyiddin, his wife, Noorainee, former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, Defence Minister Datuk Seri Hishamuddin Tun Hussien, Federal Territories Minister Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor, and People’s Progressive Party president Datuk Seri M.Kayveas.
Najib, Muhyiddin and other BN party leaders later tossed “yee sang”, the traditional raw dish, which symbolises good luck for the new year.
In KOTA BARU, the Chinese community in Kelantan ushered in the new year in a modest but rousing atmosphere.
Kota Baru MCA chairman Tan Ken Ten said the long holiday enabled family members to return home to celebrate the CNY with their loved ones. “As usual, family members gathered last night for the reunion dinner and this morning, we prayed for prosperity in the year of the horse before visiting family members and friends,” he said.
In MALACCA, Chief Minister Datuk Seri Idris Haron is scheduled to attend the Malacca MCA CNY open house at Sekolah Menengah Pay Fong this afternoon, hosted by Liow, who is also MCA Malacca Liaison Committee chairman.
In Johor Baharu, about 500 people attended the CNY open house hosted by the Johor Baharu Tiong-Hua Chinese Federation in Taman Sri Tebrau.
Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin, who was the guest of honour, in his speech, said the CNY was the best platform for all communities to strengthen unity.
He later attended the CNY open house hosted by State Tourism, Trade and Consumerism Committee chairman Datuk Tee Siew Kiong at the Pontian Diamond Jubilee Hall.
In PERAK, Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir attended the CNY open house hosted by former transport minister Datuk Seri Kong Cho Ha in Sitiawan.
The state-level CNY open house will be held at the Chenderiang Community Hall, Tapah tomorrow while the Perak Chinese Chamber Of Commerce And Industry CNY celebration will also take place tomorrow at a hotel in Ipoh.
In KEDAH, the Chinese community celebrated the CNY with their family members today and most of them will hold an open house tomorrow to enable non-Chinese friends, colleagues and neighbours to visit them.
Among those who will be holding an open house tomorrow are the MCA, Gerakan and other Chinese associations.
In GEORGE TOWN, about 3,000 people attended the CNY open house hosted by Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng at the Penang International Convention Centre (Spice) in Bayan Baru.
In TEMERLOH, Dewan Rakyat deputy speaker Datuk Ismail Mohamad Said was among guests at the Kuala Krau Parliamentary CNY open house.
In SELANGOR, the Chinese community in the state celebrated the CNY by inviting friends, colleagues and neighbours to their houses.
The Selangor MCA will hold a CNY open house on Feb 11.
In PERLIS, Titi Tinggi assemblyman Khaw Hock Kong’s CNY open house was attended by Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Dr Shahidan Kassim, Member of Parliament for Padang Besar Datuk Zahidi Zainul Abidin, and Chuping assemblyman Asmaiza Ahmad.
In KUCHING, Sarawak Yang Dipertua Negeri Tun Abang Muhammad Salahuddin Abang Barieng and wife Toh Puan Norkiah were among dignitaries who attended the Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP) CNY open house at the SUPP Headquarters at the Sa’ati Hall.
Present were Chief Minister Tan Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud, his wife, Puan Sri Ragad Kurdi Taib, Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Alfred Jabu Numpang, SUPP president Tan Sri Peter Chin Fah Kui, and Parti Rakyat Sarawak president Tan Sri James Jemut Masing.
Others present were Human Resource Minister Datuk Richard Riot, Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Rohani Abdul Karim, Sarawak Tourism and Housing Minister Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg, and State Industrial Development Minister Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan.
In SANDAKAN, Sabah Yang Dipertua Negeri Sabah Tun Juhar Mahiruddin and Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman attended the CNY open house held by Gerakan, Liberal Democratic Party, Batu Sapi Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) branch, and Malaysia Crime Prevention Foundation (Sabah Chapter) chairman Tan Sri Andrew Liew.
Speaking to reporters at the Batu Sapi PBS open house, Musa said although certain quarters were fanning the flames of racism and religious sentiments, Sabahans were wise in evaluating the situation and rejecting them.
“The presence of people, regardless of racial and religious background at the CNY shows that unity and harmony have transcend across the population of Sabah,” he said, adding that the prevailing peace and solidarity enabled the government to implement various programmes for the benefit of the people. — Bernama
