KOTA KINABALU: The Federation of Chinese Associations Sabah (FCAS) and City Hall are jointly organizing a three-day Chinese New Year Carnival at Lintasan Deasoka and Gaya Street, starting February 13.
The event will feature Chinese acrobatic performances, singing and talent contests, performances by secondary and primary students, street dance and fireworks.
There will also be hundreds of stalls to be set up along Gaya Street selling a variety of goods, including Chinese New Year products and decorations.
In a press conference yesterday, chief organizing chairman cum FCAS deputy president Datuk Jimmy Yong Kyok Ming said Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Musa Haji Aman was expected to officiate at the carnival on February 13 at 8pm.
Also in charge of organizing and coordinating the programmes are organizing chairpersons Datuk Susan Wong Siew Guen and Datuk Nancy Ho, both vice-presidents of FCAS.
The programme for the first day will start at 7pm with a lion dance performance, followed by a series of performances by Sabah Tshung Tsin Secondary School (STTSS) students who will be entertaining the public with their modern jazz and hip hop dance moves, concert band performance, violin performance, choir and wushu.
The singing contest on the first day will start at 9.30pm onwards and ends with a fireworks performance.
The second day of the carnival, February 14, is a day for elderly folk and underprivileged children. Around 100 senior citizens from old folks’ homes and children from orphanages will be treated with a sumptuous meal at Port View Seafood Restaurant, as well as enjoy refreshments and receive ang pows during the evening’s event.
Ho, who is in charge of the second day’s programme, said the food and ang pows for the elderly and children would be sponsored by Sabah Restaurant Fellowship Association, and Sabah Confectionery and Bakery Association.
“February 14 is coincidentally Valentine’s Day. It will be a night filled with love and care.
“We will also select six elderly couples to proclaim their love for each other on that evening,” Ho said.
Musa’s spouse, Datin Seri Panglima Hajah Faridah Haji Tussin, is expected to grace the event.
Besides that, the audience will enjoy Chinese acrobatic performances as well as a series of singing and dancing by students from Kota Kinabalu High School, SJK(C) Chung Hwa Kota Kinabalu, SJK(C) Chung Hwa Likas, SJK(C) St James and SJK(C) Shan Tao. There will also be a talent contest after 9.30pm.
On the third and last day, February 15, Assistant Minister to the Chief Minister Datuk Edward Yong Oui Fah will be presenting the prizes for the singing and talent contest winners.
Apart from the Chinese acrobatic show, Kian Kok Middle School students will be presenting hours of entertainment starting at 7pm, including a Chinese orchestra, a diabolo performance, string orchestra, singing and dancing. The carnival will end with an exciting fireworks show.
On another note, Yong said FCAS has been allocated 50 lots for hawkers by City Hall at prime locations along Gaya Street. Rental for each lot is at RM 40 for the duration of the carnival, plus RM 1 application fee.
“As the 50 lots allocated to us are in prime locations, hawkers who are renting these spaces are required by City Hall to sell Chinese New Year products like food or decorations,” he said.
Meanwhile, FCAS president Datuk Seri Panglima T.C. Goh said the budget for the three-day Chinese New Year Carnival was RM 400,000.
Goh said the state government, under the leadership of Musa, had granted an allocation that would cover part of the cost of the carnival.
Hence, he said the organizing committee would be initiating fund raising activities to raise the remaining balance from Chinese community leaders and associations.
Goh further expressed his gratitude towards Mayor Datuk Abidin Madingkir for his cooperation in making sure the event would be a success.
He also took the opportunity to announce that FCAS would be holding its second Chinese New Year dinner celebration at Hakka Hall, 7pm, on the fifth day of Chinese New Year, February 23.
“We will be extending an invitation to Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Musa Haji Aman,” Goh said, adding that Datuk Susan Wong would be leading the organizing committee.
Between 1,000 and 1,200 guests are expected to turn up for the event, including Chinese leaders.
“We will distribute ang pows during the dinner as well as performances by FCAS Youth, Wanita and Welfare divisions.
“There will also be lucky draws, as well as performances by artistes and dancers from Penang.”
Also present was FCAS vice-president Datuk Agnes Shim.