Christmas lighting at 1Borneo

1Borneo Hypermall was bathed in Christmas lighting and a series of programmes and performances as it ushered in Christmas festivities with its theme "Charming Christmas Royale" on Sunday.

Launching the event was Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Dr Yee Moh Chai, who described it as a very impressive preparation of Christmas decorations with a series of very engaging programmes and performances.

Also present were his wife Datin Vicky Lai together with Mayor Datuk Abidin Madingkir and his wife Datin Florence Malangkig, Sagajuta Sabah Group Executive Director Dr Tan Tiang Lai and 1Borneo Hypermall Operations Manager Leben Siddarth.

Dr Yee, who is also Resource Development and Information Technology Minister, said in the midst of celebration, emphasis should be given to the importance of knowing that Malaysians are very fortunate.

"For the rest of the world who are not as fortunate as us, for example when we mention about people in the midst of war, who are suffering from famines, natural disasters, we pray for them and at the same time we also cherish what we have here.

"We hope the message will go through and at the same time we want to make sure that in a multiracial country like Malaysia, we are very fortunate that we could celebrate festivities which are of course of a religious nature," he said.

He said the people should also bear in mind that they are very fortunate that they are in a country where people of different religious background, different cultural background and also of different ethnic background could get together and celebrate in the true spirit of not only Christmas but the true spirit of 1Malaysia.

Meanwhile, Siddarth said in the spirit of giving 1Borneo has created the Charitymas Campaign, which is located at the second entrance of the mall with larger than life Christmas boxes.

"Customers could donate their unused or new toys which will be wrapped in royal manner and distributed to orphans residing in villages in Tamparuli and Ranau," said Siddarth.

Daily Express