Hii (seventh left) and Ling (on Hii’s left) together with others tossing ‘yee sang’ during the dinner.
MIRI: The Sarawak Chinese Association started its Chinese New Year (CNY) dinner event on Sunday with a minute of silence to mark the passing of former chief minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem.
About 700 guests who attended the dinner observed the moment of silence to show their respects to the late Adenan, recognising him for his great leadership for the state.
The event was officiated at by Datuk James Ling who is the association’s permanent honorary advisor.
Also present were the association’s life advisor Datuk Hii King Chiong and president Ting Pang Soon, Islamic Information Centre (IIC) chief executive officer (CEO) Zabariah Matali, Miri Malay Association president Radzali Alison, Dayak Association of Miri (DAM) president Serawa Budol, Miri District officer Abdul Aziz Mohd Yusuf and councillor Aries Leong who represented Piasau assemblyman Datuk Sebastian Ting.
In his address, Ling called on people of various races to safeguard and treasure the existing harmony in the state at all costs.
“Our differences notwithstanding, it is already a traditional practice in the state for us to celebrate any festive season together in a harmonious atmosphere.
“I would like to congratulate the Sarawak Chinese Association for subscribing to such a noble spirit in this CNY dinner event. Thus, I regard this as a highly valuable symbol because this gathering has surpassed racial, lingual and cultural differences.”
In view of this, he was in favour of more such events to be organised frequently which indirectly helps in promoting good relationships between the various communities.
“When the various races get together frequently, we not only promote our relationships, the mistrust between each other will also be easily dissolved, thus decreasing our misunderstandings and conflicts.”
At the same time, he praised the Sarawak Chinese Association for its initiative to participate in charity service by organising cultural and educational activities to help the poor and needy.
Apart from that, he also noted that the association has done a good job to promote moral excellence.