Kota Kinabalu: Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor commended the United Sabah Chinese Communities Association of Kota Kinabalu (USCCAKK) and its President Datuk Susan Wong Siew Guen for their efforts in promoting Chinese culture and social development.
Hajiji said the State Government will continue to support events organised by the association, especially the upcoming Chinese New Year Dragon, Unicorn and Lion Dance Festival and Cultural Village Exhibition 2024.
He said this when receiving a courtesy call from a USCCAKK delegation led by Susan, where he agreed to attend the festival as the guest of honour to celebrate the Lunar New Year with the Chinese community.
“I am confident that Sabah’s economy will gain momentum and grow stronger in the Year of the Dragon.”
The Chief Minister also conveyed his early Chinese New Year wishes to the Chinese community.
“We (the State Government) hope the Year of the Dragon will bring abundance and better things for Sabah and Sabahans, including the Chinese community,” he said.
Meanwhile, Susan commended Hajiji for his continuous support to the Chinese, and presented the latter with a golden dragon statue as souvenir, with hopes that the Chief Minister will lead Sabah to greater heights.
“The State Government led by Hajiji has sponsored 400 lion dance heads to the Chinese community in Sabah.
“This is a testament of the State Government’s support towards Chinese cultural activities,” said Susan, and thanked Hajiji and the State Government on behalf of USCCAKK.
“We are grateful to Hajiji and the Government he leads for their great support to the Chinese community, especially the programmes organised by USCCAKK.
“The State Government has given us various assistance that enable our events, especially the Chinese New Year festival, to be held smoothly.”
The Chinese New Year Dragon, Unicorn and Lion Dance Festival and Cultural Village Exhibition 2024 will be held at the Sabah International Convention Centre (SICC), here, on Jan 27 from 9am to 10pm.
The programme will kick off with the opening ceremony of Cultural Village Exhibition by Plantation and Commodities Deputy Minister Datuk Chan Foong Hin at 9am, followed by a prize-giving ceremony for the Chinese New Year children’s colouring contest to be officiated by the Consul General of the People’s Republic of China in Kota Kinabalu, Huang Shifang.
The inaugural dance competition will begin at 7pm. The public is welcome to visit the festival. Admission to the events is free.
This year, a total of 155 dragon, unicorn and lion dance troupes all over Sabah will convene at SICC.
The festival will be officiated by Hajiji in a drum-beating ceremony at 2pm. State Ministers, Assistant Minister, Members of Parliament, state assemblymen and Chinese community leaders have also been invited to the opening ceremony.
