Faridah leading the group in presenting ‘ang pows’ to senior citizens.
KOTA KINABALU: Some 150 persons consisting of senior citizens, orphans and children from less fortunate background received ‘ang pows’ in line with the spirit of the coming Lunar New Year.
A hundred senior citizens from St Pritchard’s Old Folks Home in Kinarut, Papar and various homes from the area, 30 children from the Children’s Home of Beringgis, Papar and 20 persons from the Sabah Thalassemia Association received the ‘red packet’ at the Chinese New Year carnival, organized by Kota Kinabalu City Hall and the Federation Of Chinese Associations Sabah at Lintasan Deasoka, on Sunday night.
The event was graced by Datin Seri Panglima Datuk Hajah Faridah Tussin, wife of Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Musa Aman, Puan Sri Genievie, wife of Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Joseph Pairin Kitingan, Community Development and Consumer Affairs Minister, Datuk Jainab Ahmad Ayid and Datin Mary Yong, wife of Assistant Minister to the Chief Minister, Datuk Ir Edward Young Oui Fah.
Faridah who is also chairperson of Badan Amal dan Kebajikan Isteri Wakil-Wakil Rakyat Barisan Nasional Sabah (BAKISA) led in the handing over of the ‘red packets’ contributed by the Kota Kinabalu Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Sabah Restaurants Fellowship Association.
About a thousand people from various backgrounds came to witness the celebrations on Sunday with stage performances by local singers, dance performances by students from schools of the area and so on.
As part of the ongoing festivities, around 300 businesses have set up stalls along Gaya Street from Saturday until last night, between 6pm and 11pm, selling various Chinese New Year goods.