KUALA Lumpur’s Petaling Street was alive with excitement as over 1,000 individuals, including the B40 group, single mothers, and orphans, gathered to partake in the Lantern Festival. Organized by the Kuala Lumpur Chinese Assembly Hall (KLCAH) women’s division and the Malaysian Drug Prevention Association (Pemadam), the festival featured vibrant lion and dragon dances as well as a breathtaking fireworks display.
The president of KLCAH, Datuk Seri Chai Kee Kan, expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to celebrate alongside 200 children from welfare homes. He emphasized the importance of promoting Chinese culture to Malaysians and foreign tourists.
Children from Bodhi Nursery and Jing Sun Welfare Society showing their paper lanterns.
Chai stated that attendees could learn, participate in activities, enjoy halal mooncakes, and even bring their lanterns to the parade. He believes that the event serves as a fantastic way to showcase Malaysia’s cultural richness. Chai also expressed his delight over the Chinese Culture and Tourism Ministry’s announcement of a 15-day visa on arrival for Chinese ordinary passport holders at Kuala Lumpur International Airport, stating that this policy would boost tourism.
Chai confidently anticipates further visa liberalization measures that will bring in more tourists to Malaysia.
Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry staff giving away free lanterns and mooncakes to the public.
In the meantime, Khairul Firdaus Akbar Khan, the Deputy Minister of Tourism, Arts, and Culture (Motac), mentioned that the festival promotes unity and camaraderie. He assured continued support from the ministry for similar initiatives aimed at bringing diverse communities together.
Other attendees at the festival included Pemadam treasurer Datuk Sohaimi Shahadan, KLCAH women’s division chairman Datuk Ada Poon, event organizing chairman Hew Poh Chin, and Kuala Lumpur Hawkers and Petty Traders Association chairman Datuk Ang Say Tee.
Credit: The Star : Metro Feed
