By Shikin Louis
KUCHING, Feb 10: The inaugural Sarawak Government’s 2024 Chinese New Year (CNY) Open House held at Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) here saw thousands of Sarawakians of different races converged to celebrate the festive season together.
Although such an open house was held for the first time, the organiser did a good job of controlling the traffic flow so that everyone could take turns and enjoy their food comfortably.
The queue began as early as 9am, with most of the crowd donning red clothes to usher in the Year of the Dragon.
Upon entering the Great Hall, the crowd were treated to a buffet feast accompanied by entertaining performances such as lion and dragon dances, singing acts, and so on.
At 10am, the open house became even more exuberant with the presence of Sarawak Yang di-Pertua Negeri Tun Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar and wife Toh Puan Fauziah Mohd Sanusi.
Also present were the Premier of Sarawak, Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg, and his wife, Puan Sri Datuk Amar Juma’ani Tuanku Bujang.
Other notable guests include Deputy Prime Minister Dato Sri Fadillah Yusof; Sarawak Deputy Premiers Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas, Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan and Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian; Federal Minister of Works Dato Sri Alexander Nanta Linggi; Federal Minister of Women, Family and Community Development Dato Sri Nancy Shukri; Federal Minister of National Unity Datuk Aaron Ago Dagang; former Sarawak’s Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Dr George Chan Hong Nam and Sarawak Cabinet Ministers.
The CNY Open House will be held until 3pm today.
According to Dr Sim, the minister-in-charge, the one-day event targets a minimum presence of about 5,000 people.
“This event reflects the best of Sarawak, where you can see the Chinese, the Malays, the Dayaks and Indians—everyone from all social and economic statuses gathered here.
“It is so important for us to continue to build this (unity) so that we can nation-build together. This is a very important foundation,” he told reporters. — DayakDaily
