KUCHING: Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP) president Datuk Seri Dr Sim Kui Hian graced the eye-dotting ceremony of the lion dance troupe in the Padungan constituency.
Dr Sim, who is also Deputy Chief Minister and Minister for Public Health, Housing and Local Government, briefly performed the symbolic ‘life-giving’ ritual on the lion which is believed to empower the lion to fulfil its duty of bringing about protection, good luck, health, and prosperity to those present.
The ceremony, organised by the Ngee Khee Tng Kuching Suppoters’ Association from the Ang Cheng Ho area, was attended by the nearby residents who were later treated to a lion dance performance.
“There are 11 lion dance troupes from the temple and after the Sarawak Disaster and Management Committee (SDMC) announced that lion dance are allowed under the SOP, we carried out this ceremony.
“The eye-dotting ceremony, according to our customary beliefs, is to awaken the lion so that they will be able to perform during the Chinese New Year festival,” said an organising committee member, Ah Siang..
Also present was Tan Kai, a political secretary to the Chief Minister.
