By P. Chandra Sagaran
Thousands of people converged on Indera Mulia Stadium to join in the state level Chinese New Year Open House celebrations yesterday (Feb 8).
Sultan of Perak Sultan Nazrin Shah and Raja Permaisuri Perak Tuanku Zara Salim graced the event.
Also present were Raja Muda Perak Raja Jaafar Raja Muda Musa and Raja DiHilir Perak Raja Iskandar Dzurkarnain Sultan Idris A’fifullah Shah,Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad and other state dignitaries.
They also participated in the tossing of “yee sang” to symbolise the celebrations with prosperity, good fortune,unity and growth in the Year of Snake.
The attendees enjoyed a variety of food and were also entertained to performances by Chinese opera,songs, drums and exponents of wushu.
Sultan Nazrin and Tuanku Zara later presented “angpow” packets to 68 orphans and underprivileged children from Pusat Jagaan Pertubuhan Pengurusan Rumah Anak-Anak Yatim Dan Miskin Anning Ipoh,Pusat Jagaan Anak Anak Yatim Dan Miskin Nurul Iman,Pertubuhan Pengurusan Pusat Jagaan Malaysia,Perak, Pertubuhan Kebajikan Kanak-Kanak Berjasa Kinta, Perak and Pusat Jagaan Anak Yatim Kasih Sayang,Ipoh.
Saarani in his speech said,”the public should use the festive season as a platform to strengthen unity and build a progressive and harmonious state.
“This reminder is vital at present time where certain quarters attempt to stir division along racial lines thus creating suspicion among our multi racial community,”he added.