THE Chinese tradition of celebrating the Lunar New Year must be carried on despite many people having a grim outlook on life and the nation grappling with the Covid-19 pandemic.
While many business sectors are still reeling from the impact of the pandemic and the ongoing movement control order (MCO 2.0), they have been dealt with another extension of the partial lockdown from Feb 4 to Feb 18.
Hence, the upcoming Chinese New Year’s festivities will not be the same compared to previous years.
Air Itam assemblyman Joseph Ng emphasised that the Lunar New Year, which falls on Feb 12 this year to usher in the Year of the Ox, is an important festival for the Chinese community.
Although many activities are curtailed due to the inter-state travel ban, he said it is still necessary to keep up the spirit of the annual festival.
“No matter the circumstances, we must continue to celebrate the festival in a meaningful manner.
“Don’t let the pandemic and MCO affect our way of celebration and spoil our mood.
“That’s why I am here today to witness the official lantern lighting ceremony in Air Itam,” he told reporters after seeing a total of 230 red lanterns lit up along the streets.
The streets of Air Itam will be illuminated with strings of red lanterns till Chap Goh Meh celebration, which marks the end of the Chinese New Year celebration on the 15th night.
Ng added that the lanterns’ installation, costing about RM28,000, came from his constituency allocation and was also supported by the Sunshine Wholesale Mart Sdn Bhd.
Also present were Sunshine Wholesale Mart Sdn Bhd director Datuk Hwang Thean Long, Air Putih constituency coordinator Hong Kian Beng, Bukit Gelugor parliamentary representative Rachel Teh and Penang Island City Council (MBPP) councillors Quah Boon Lim and Rohaizat Hamid.
Story by Edmund Lee
Pix by Chan Kok Kuan