THE annual Penang Chinese New Year Celebration, popularly known as ‘Miao Hui’, will be conducted via online next year, in view of the uncertainties caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said the event organiser Penang Chinese Clan Council, after much discussions, had decided to carry out the celebration virtually next year.
“The Miao Hui, themed ‘Permata Budaya’, will be conducted for nine days, from the first day of Chinese New Year until the ninth day (Feb 12 to 20 next year).
“The organiser will make full use of the technology during the nine-day period to enable viewers to visit the ancestral halls virtually and learn their cultural heritage without having to be physically there.
“The 22nd Miao Hui event next year will not involve any physical events. This will create a new experience for the viewers,” he told a press conference at his office today.
Chow said the Penang government has always strived to provide space for arts, culture and heritage to flourish.
He said the organiser had planned to highlight some 20 Clan houses by presenting a three-minute video on each Clan house. The videos will be uploaded in stages on the social media beginning Feb 12 next year.
“Through the combined efforts of the people and the state, Miao Hui is now a signature programme and a well-known cultural brand in Penang,” he said, adding that the estimated cost of the event is RM300,000.
Those who are interested to contribute towards the Miao Hui fund can contact Komtar assemblyman Teh Lai Heng at 016-445 9808.
Volunteers who wish to participate in the preparation can register through the Miao Hui Facebook page (pgcny) or call the Miao Hui chief planner Choo Boon Chiang at 012-438 7796.
Also present were Penang Tourism and Creative Economy Committee chairman Yeoh Soon Hin, state Entrepreneurial Development, Trade and Industry Committee chairman Datuk Abdul Halim Hussain, Pengkalan Kota assemblyman Daniel Gooi, Penang Chinese Clan Council chairman Datuk Ang Cho Teing and Miao Hui 2021 director Khor Lee Hoon.
Story by Christopher Tan
Pix by Law Suun Ting
Video by Chan Kok Kuan