CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION AT GAYA STREET

CELEBRATION .....Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Dr. Yee Moh Chai (left) together with wife Datin Vicky (middle) with Kota Kinabalu Mayor, Datuk Abidin Madingkir (right) visit the Nativity Hut being displayed at the Gaya Christmas Celebration 2012 at Lintasan Deasoka on Monday night.

By:  FIZAH YUSOF

THOUSANDS of people from all walks of life flocked to the Gaya Street to be part of the 2012 Gaya Christmas Celebration that was jointly organized by the Sabah Council of Churches and Kota Kinabalu City Hall last night on Monday.

We are very lucky because we live in a diverse society and can practise our own religions in peace and harmony. This situation allows us to celebrate one another's festival with utmost respect,” Datuk Seri Panglima Musa Aman Chief Minister of Sabah said in his speech delivered by his Deputy Datuk Dr Yee Moh Chai during the launching of the 2012 Gaya Christmas Celebration.

He said this is one of the factors that make Sabah the best example of 1Malaysia with a multi-racial society and diverse religions living in peace, prosperity, and mutual respect for one another.

"In fact, the peace and harmony that we enjoy today is due to the existence of a stable and sustainable government. We know, if we have a fragile government, we would not be able to enjoy social stability and progress," he said, and adding that achieving this was not an easy task since it needed the cooperation and support from all leaders and the people.

He also urged the people in Sabah to continue working with the Government to ensure political stability, social and economic prosperity for mutual benefit.

"What is important is your support and cooperation will contribute toward the success of all the policies and programmes that we are currently implementing throughout the State for the well-being of our future generation," he said.

For Judy Siau, 50, the Christmas celebration at Gaya Street is a must event for her family.

"We never fail to come since it started way back in 2005. It is a fantastic place for family to bring their children and enjoy the spirit of Christmas," she said.

The Gaya Christmas celebration will go on till Thursday, 13 December from 6.30pm to 10.30pm. It offers a wide variety of programmes including Christmas carols sung by a combined Anglican Choir, a life-sized Nativity Hut, a huge Christmas tree lit brightly at the centre of Lintasan Deasoka as well as hawkers selling all sort of things such as food and beverage, Christmas decorations, toys, clothes and many other items. - Insight Sabah