Chinese New Year Celebration In Malaysia Lively, Say Tourists

By Nur Aimidiyana Zuher anD Norhayati Mohd Akhir KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 23 (Bernama) -- The lively celebration for the Chinese New Year in Malaysia which retains the traditions of the community has become a strong attraction for foreign tourist of Chinese origin to celebrate the festival in this country. Robert Lau, 28, a tourist from Singapore, said he wanted to experience personally the merriment and uniqueness of the Chinese New Year celebration in Malaysia as had been claimed by his friends. "I have acquaintances in Johor (Malaysia's southern state) who frequently invited me to come here. So, I took this opportunity to spend the public holiday to travel and spend the Chinese New Year here," he told Bernama at the KLCC, here Monday. Lau, who looked resplendent in his red shirt, said the Chinese New Year celebration to mark the beginning of the lunar calendar for the Chinese community is strongly felt in Malaysia because the Chinese community in this country still practised the culture of their ancestors including visiting one another. Meanwhile, a tourist from Hong Kong, Li Mei Ling, 48, was excited by the exuberance of the celebration which began exactly at midnight last night with the lighting of fire crackers and fireworks to mark the beginning of the Year of the Dragon. Li, who travelled to Malaysia with her husband and child, said they were very excited because they could see the fireworks display on the Chinese New Year eve because in Hong Kong, the fireworks display could only be held on the second day of the Chinese New Year. This was in addition to July 1 to mark the return of Hong Kong to the administration of China and on Oct 1 in conjunction with the National Day of China, she said. "Hong Kong is just a small country and crowded with too many buildings, so the government prohibited the fireworks display (during the Chinese New Year) to avoid undesired incidents," she said. Meanwhile, a student from the National University of Singapore, Elena You, 20, who was visiting this country for the first time, felt very happy to celebrate Chinese New Year here. The mathematics student who originated from China said that she was here on a study tour with 100 students of the university. "I am so happy because this is my first time here, I am from South China, and for me Malaysia is an interesting place to visit and I love Malaysia," she said. She said the three-day visit to Malaysia gave her a new experience and environment besides learning the culture and customs of the Chinese community in this country. "From this short visit I have learnt a lot of the culture, and tasted a variety of delicious food that is so special and could not be found in my country," she told Bernama when met at Kuala Lumpur Bird Park, here. Meanwhile, a set of twins from Ireland who only wished to be known as Lyn and Linda looked elegant and unique in their Cheongsam when met at the KLCC while enjoying food at a fast food restaurant. "We mixed around with local students at our college and we are proud to wear this Chinese traditional dress because we have a Chinese friend who always wears it to college," said Lyn. Meanwhile, an elderly Malaysian couple continued their recreational activity at the Taman Tasik Perdana (Lake Gardens), although today is the first day of the Chinese New Year. Pensioner Tong Teek Yam, 63, together with his wife and friends continued with their Guolin Qigong physical exercise as though today was just another day. "For me, the Chinese New Year can be celebrated modestly, just by having the special dinner in conjunction with the new lunar year. "Furthermore, our children already have their own families. So my wife and I preferred to come here to exercise together with other friends," he said. -- BERNAMA