By : M. IZHAM B. HASHIM
DAZZLING fireworks lit up
the night sky as thousands of city folks, young and old, gazed up the sky at
Gaya Street in Kota Kinabalu to savour the evening's highlight that marked the
grand finale of the Chinese New Year Carnival on Wednesday.
Harmony and camaraderie
permeated the three-day festival that
put on display Sabah's profusion of cultures and traditions.
Speaking at the ceremony,
Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Yee Moh Chai expressed great happiness to see
people of different cultures and backgrounds joining in the celebrations.
"This Chinese New Year
Carnival here is also a celebration of Sabah's multi-cultural heritage which
has been, and will remain a source of strength and pride for generations to
come" he said.
Datuk Yee hoped that the
Lunar New Year festivities have set the stage for many more happy celebrations
in the future.
Gaya Street was abuzz with
night-market traders peddling seasonal Chinese snacks and an assortment of food
and decorative items that popped up all over town during the Chinese New Year
festive period.
As had been the case with
previous carnivals, the 8th celebration at Gaya Street was organised by Kota
Kinabalu City Hall (DBKK) and the State Assemblyman for Api-Api.
The carnival attracted a
multitude of people from all walks of life, including tourists who thronged
Lintasan Deasoka to take in the festive mood and atmosphere.
There were many attractions
to delight all, such as the impressive show of skill and nerves by the lion
dance and dragon dance troups who choreographed their performances
appropriately to herald the Year of the
Serpent.
While every animal in the
Chinese zodiac carries its own set of attributes, some people see the snake
year as having propitious influence too, despite the snake's not being a very
attractive animal to many people.
Business has been excellent for many Gaya Street traders who
earn an average RM1000 per day, perhaps more, since the start of the carnival.
“So far, business has been
great and we’re looking forward to a great year ahead,” beamed Anthony Tham,
54, a financial advisor who enjoyed selling organic products and local Chinese
goods to customers together with his wife Sally Okiong Danial, 51.
For 26-year old regular
trader at Gaya Street, Natalia Abdul Ibrahim, who sells a colourful array of
handmade brooches, wind chimes and "dream-catchers" which symbolize
good fortune, good luck and prosperity has been a perenial theme.
Also thumping a regular
theme, Kota Kinabalu Mayor Datuk Abidin Madingkir hoped the city folks will
continue to support DBKK's efforts in making Kota Kinabalu a cleaner, safer and
enjoyable place to live in.
The carnival at Lintasan
Desoka was also attended by Minister of the Ministry of Local Government and
Housing, Datuk Edward Yong Oui Fah, Indonesian Consul-General In Kota Kinabalu
Soepeno Sahid, Director-General of Kota Kinabalu City Hall Datuk Yeo Boon Hai,
City Hall Puspanita Chairwoman Datin Florence Malangkig and other dignitaries
as well as overseas visitors.-Insight Sabah
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