Govt gives 40 lion heads to dance troupes

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Seated, from fourth left, Wong, Yong, Teo, Chin, Danny, Chong with the recipients and lion heads given by the State Government.

Seated, from fourth left, Wong, Yong, Teo, Chin, Danny, Chong with the recipients and lion heads given by the State Government.

KOTA KINABALU: The State Government has once again demonstrated its commitment in promoting and supporting pluralism by giving away 40 lion heads to lion dance troupes all over Sabah this year.

Minister of Special Tasks Datuk Teo Chee Kang said the State Government had allocated RM100,000 for this purpose.

“I would like to thank the Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Musa Haji Aman for kindly allocating the grant of RM100,000 despite the fact that the State revenue has reduced due to the drop in oil prices.

“This shows the government’s commitment in promoting and supporting pluralism,” Teo said at the presentation ceremony of lion heads to troupes in the West Coast at Wisma Innoprise here yesterday.

A total of 18 lion dance troupes from Kota Kinabalu, Tamparuli, Tuaran, Kota Belud, Ranau, Menumbuk and Sipitang received their lion heads yesterday.

Similar presentation ceremonies will be held to give away nine lion heads in Sandakan, three in Kudat, five in Tawau and Lahad Datu, and five in Tambunan, Keningau and Tenom.

Teo said the State Government also allowed some flexibility for troupes to swap lion head for unicorn head if they need the unicorn head more.

On another note, Teo said the lion dance culture has become part of the Malaysian culture.

Although lion dance is a Chinese culture, he said the art of lion dance was well-liked by all races irrespective of religions in Malaysia, particularly Sabah.

“In fact, we notice that there are a lot of bumiputera friends in many of the dragon, unicorn and lion dance troupes.”

He said some the troupes were also very innovative by incorporating local culture into their lion dance performance.

“I hope the recipients will make good use of the lion heads given.”

At the same time, Teo advised dragon, unicorn and lion dance troupes to comply with the relevant requirements, such as obtaining the necessary permits from the authority prior to performing during the Chinese New Year period.

He also urged troupes to ensure safety of their members as they travelled from place to place and when they were performing.

Also present were Assistant Minister to the Chief Minister Datuk Edward Yong Oui Fah, Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) deputy president Senator Datuk Chin Su Phin, Political Secretary to the Minister of Special Tasks, Peter Chong, Liaison Secretary to the Minister of Special Tasks Albert Kok, The United Sabah Chinese Communities Association of Kota Kinabalu (USCCAKK) president Datuk Susan Wong Siew Guen and Sabah Dragon, Unicorn and Lion Dance Association president Danny Kok.

The troupes who received the lion heads yesterday were Kelab Sukan dan Rekreasi Kg Tatahan Kionsom Inanam, Kelab Tarian Naga dan Singa Wan San Long Yi, Kota Kinabalu Hakka Association, Kota Kinabalu Longchuan Association, Persatuan Penganut Buddha San Jiao Dian Sabah, Persatuan Tarian Singa dan Naga Kun Seng Keng Kota Kinabalu Sabah, Persatuan Tarian-Tarian Naga dan Singa Lee Kiong Sabah, Pertubuhan Amal dan Pendidikan Akhlak Ji Her Kota Kinabalu Sabah, Sekolah Menengah La Salle, Persatuan Ibu Bapa dan Guru SJK(C) St Philip, Tamparuli, Tuaran Hakka Association, Persatuan Pengurusan Tokong Tao Yu Huang, Tuaran, Sabah, Persatuan Chung Hwa Kota Belud, Persatuan Pengurusan Tokong Cina Kota Belud, Sabah, Persatuan Peranakan Tionghua Ranau, Sabah, Pertubuhan Chon Chu Kung Ranau, Persatuan Penganut Hock Teck Sabah dan WP Labuan and Persatuan Pengurusan Tokong Vie Hun, Mesapol.