THREE Chinese primary schools in the Tanjong Bunga constituency received good news when their assemblyman Zairil Khir Johari visited them today in conjunction with the Chinese New Year celebrations.
The Penang state executive councilor said the state government would contribute RM40,000 to SRJK (C) Hun Bin in Tanjong Tokong, RM30,000 to SRJK (C) Pai Chai in Batu Ferringhi and RM20,000 to SRJK (C) Poay Wah in Tanjong Bunga this year.
He said the monetary aid is to help Hun Bin replace its old drain, assist Pai Chai to upgrade its safety fence and enable Poay Wah to change its hall’s flooring.
Speaking in fairly fluent Mandarin at the start of his speech at Poay Wah, Zairil wished all present a very happy Chinese New Year.
“This is the Year of the Rat according to the Lunar New Year. Rat is the first of all the zodiac animals, smart and can succeed in challenges. So, we hope that not only Penang but also Malaysia will be successful this year.
“I believe the year 2020 can be a good start for our country to forge ahead through its Shared Prosperity Vision 2030 and for our state to realise its Penang 2030 Vision.
“Our country’s aspiration is to become a high-income nation while the state’s vision is on a family-focused, smart and green state to inspire the nation.
“To reach that goal, we must have a proper education system for all. In Malaysia, we are unique and we should view our diversity as our strength,” Zairil said.
Like in the past year, Zairil handed out a mandarin orange each to all the pupils, teachers and other staff members of Poay Wah.
The recipients had further reason to smile when they also received angpows from Poay Wah Alumni president Leong Hong Lin, Poay Wah Board member Teh Lean Hee and the school’s Parent-Teacher Association chairman Wee Chong Yue.
Wee said they were thankful to be able to celebrate Chinese New Year every year.
“This has to do with all the hard work put in by the school headmistress, teachers and pupils,” Wee said in his speech.
School headmistress Lian Poh Lai said the pupils’ parents were very supportive in not only celebrating Chinese New Year but also other festivities like Deepavali and Hari Raya Aidilfitri.
“Although we celebrate Chinese New Year on a bigger scale, we also hold celebrations for Deepavali and Hari Raya Aidilfitri.
“We are multi-racial and we want our pupils to know the traditions and cultures of other races,” Lian said.
Lian said the school has plans for expansion as enrolment has increased from 121 in 2017 to 164 in 2020.
A lion’s troupe set the tone for the day with a lively performance as they greeted Zairil upon his arrival at Poay Wah.
Most conspicuous was that the majority of the pupils, including the non-Chinese, came dressed in Chinese New Year costume while the teachers donned Han Dynasty costume and Lian herself wore a traditional Ming Dynasty dress.
Later, while Zairil and other VIPs, including Poay Wah Board chairman Datuk Khor Gark Kim, were taking part in a ‘lou sang’ on the stage, the pupils together with the schoolteachers were seen simultaneously tossing the colourful dish at different tables in the hall. The act symbolises abundance and prosperity.
The pupils capped an enjoyable day when they took part in a line dance.
Story by K.H. Ong
