By V. Sivaji
The Penang Chinese Town Hall held its annual Chinese New Year open house at its premises along Pitt Street here.
Lending support was Penang Governor Tun Ahmad Fuzi Abdul Razak along with Penang Chief Minister YAB Chow Kon Yeow, Penang Deputy Chief Minister I, Dato Dr Mohamad Abdul Hamid, DCM II, YB Jagdeep Singh Deo and community leaders.
Also present was Deputy Finance Minister, YB Lim Hui Ying, State Exco for Tourism and Creative Economy YB Wong Hon Wai, State Exco for Health, Youth and Sports. YB Daniel Gooi, Consul General of The People’s Republic of China in Penang, HE Zhou Youbin, Consul General of Royal Thai Consulate of Penang, HE Raschade Jiwalai among others.
They were welcomed by the Penang Chinese Town Hall president Tan Sri Tan Khoon Hai and his committee members with a traditional dragon dance and Chingay performance.
After posing for the customary group photo with the Governor of Penang, guests were ushered into the main hall for various traditional and cultural performances along with the various speeches.
“I appreciate the gesture of the Penang Chinese Town Hall to organise its Chinese New Year Open House. We hope that the New Year will bring prosperity, wealth and good health for everyone.
“I also commend the Penang Chinese Town Hall for organising various community based and charitable activities to benefit Penangites.
“Let us take this opportunity to work together for the betterment and progress of Penang and Penang Vision 2030”, said Chow in his speech.
Meanwhile, Tan in his address also welcomed the Penang Governor and Penang Chief Minister to take time to attend their Open House.
“We hope under the leadership of Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, our country will see growth and development under the Malaysia Madani government.
“We also support the government’s efforts for a stable and united country for the future benefit of the people of various races and religions. We have to safeguard the peace and harmony in the country which gained independence in 1957”, he added.
Tan later presented tokens of appreciation for the various VIP guests and posed for a group picture on stage.
