KUCHING: The state-level Chinese New Year open house brings festive joy to more than 5,000 people from all walks of life to celebrate the first day of the Lunar New Year to usher in the Year of The Dragon.
The heavy downpour in the morning did not stop members of the public from attending the state level open house, also known by the Chinese as ‘Chor 1’ (Day 1) of Chinese New Year.
Live performances such as the lion dance, Chinese dragon dance and also performances by local artists entertained the large crowd.
Stephanie Goh, 52, the exco-member of the Kuching Autistic Association (KAA) shared how organising the state level’s CNY open house for the first time is a good idea.
“Now that the government is doing this, all walks of life come here to celebrate and promote unity. Among (us as) Sarawakians as we all know, Sarawakians we are ‘Satu Sarawak’.
“I think more and more people (are here), the car park was full and people came early to celebrate. That’s a very good sign,” she said.
Meanwhile, Peter Brian Morrison, who is a businessman said that the celebration was very exciting and colourful with many people of all races present at the state-level open house.
“This year having (the celebration) at BCCK as compared to the past years, and this year has more excitement and so that is very good,” he told New Sarawak Tribune at BCCK today, Peter was with his wife, Datuk Georgina Apphia Ngau.
In addition, Than Hui Wenn, 16, who is a student, commented on the wonderful ambience at BCCK and despite her first time attending the state level open house, it was quite a wonderful experience for her.
Than, who was with her parents, shared that she is excited to face the Chinese New Year week ahead despite saying that the ‘qi fen’ (atmosphere) was not much different compared to previous years.
“I am excited of course, (however) I think there’s not much ‘qi fen’, where the new year feels, every year as it goes by it’s becoming less and less,” she said.
Among those present at the state level CNY open house were Sarawak Yang di-pertua Negeri Tun Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar and wife Toh Puan Fauziah Mohd Sanusi.
Also present were the Premier of Sarawak, Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg, and his wife, Puan Sri Datuk Amar Juma’ani Tuanku Bujang.
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Sri Fadillah Yusof; Sarawak Deputy Premiers Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas, Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan and Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian were also present at the state level Chinese New Year open house.
