A TOTAL of 180 red lanterns have been put up at the Desa Mawar neighbourhood park in Air Itam to usher in the Chinese New Year which falls on Jan 22.
Air Itam assemblyman Joseph Ng said the lanterns would lighten up the park for the first time since it was opened in March last year.
“The lanterns will be lit up from 7pm to 7am daily until after the Chinese New Year celebration.
“I hope the Year of Rabbit in the Lunar calendar will be made merrier with all these lantern decorations,” he told reporters after attending the lighting-up ceremony.
Aside from Desa Mawar neighbourhood park, Ng said the vicinity of Air Itam Market would be decorated with red lanterns this Saturday evening (Jan 14).
“We will decorate the town as well as the Penang Hill roundabout with red lanterns during this festive season,” he added.
Meanwhile, Ng said several places in Air Itam and Air Putih have been set aside for devotees to discard unwanted prayer items ahead of the Chinese New Year.
He added that this initiative was started three years ago.
Story by Edmund Lee
Pix by Alissala Thian