SABAHANS WELCOMING THE LUNAR NEW YEAR

By : M. IZHAM B. HASHIM

DAZZLING fireworks lit up the night sky as thousands of city folks, young and old, gazed up the sky at Gaya Street in Kota Kinabalu to savour the evening's highlight that marked the grand finale of the Chinese New Year Carnival on Wednesday.

Harmony and camaraderie permeated the three-day festival that put on display Sabah's profusion of cultures and traditions.

Speaking at the ceremony, Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Yee Moh Chai expressed great happiness to see people of different cultures and backgrounds joining in the celebrations.

"This Chinese New Year Carnival here is also a celebration of Sabah's multi-cultural heritage which has been, and will remain a source of strength and pride for generations to come" he said.

Datuk Yee hoped that the Lunar New Year festivities have set the stage for many more happy celebrations in the future.

Gaya Street was abuzz with night-market traders peddling seasonal Chinese snacks and an assortment of food and decorative items that popped up all over town during the Chinese New Year festive period.

As had been the case with previous carnivals, the 8th celebration at Gaya Street was organised by Kota Kinabalu City Hall (DBKK) and the State Assemblyman for Api-Api.

The carnival attracted a multitude of people from all walks of life, including tourists who thronged Lintasan Deasoka to take in the festive mood and atmosphere.

There were many attractions to delight all, such as the impressive show of skill and nerves by the lion dance and dragon dance troups who choreographed their performances appropriately to herald the Year of the Serpent.

While every animal in the Chinese zodiac carries its own set of attributes, some people see the snake year as having propitious influence too, despite the snake's not being a very attractive animal to many people.

Business has been excellent for many Gaya Street traders who earn an average RM1000 per day, perhaps more, since the start of the carnival.

“So far, business has been great and we’re looking forward to a great year ahead,” beamed Anthony Tham, 54, a financial advisor who enjoyed selling organic products and local Chinese goods to customers together with his wife Sally Okiong Danial, 51.

For 26-year old regular trader at Gaya Street, Natalia Abdul Ibrahim, who sells a colourful array of handmade brooches, wind chimes and "dream-catchers" which symbolize good fortune, good luck and prosperity has been a perenial theme.

Also thumping a regular theme, Kota Kinabalu Mayor Datuk Abidin Madingkir hoped the city folks will continue to support DBKK's efforts in making Kota Kinabalu a cleaner, safer and enjoyable place to live in.

The carnival at Lintasan Desoka was also attended by Minister of the Ministry of Local Government and Housing, Datuk Edward Yong Oui Fah, Indonesian Consul-General In Kota Kinabalu Soepeno Sahid, Director-General of Kota Kinabalu City Hall Datuk Yeo Boon Hai, City Hall Puspanita Chairwoman Datin Florence Malangkig and other dignitaries as well as overseas visitors.-Insight Sabah