Klang residents decorate neighbourhood to get into CNY mood

 

Caishen, the Chinese God of Prosperity, bids a friendly welcome to visitors and residents of Ambang Botanic, Klang. (Jeffrey Law pic)

KLANG: The Year of the Rat has been something of a downer, with a pandemic wreaking havoc on worldwide health and economy.

It is without a doubt that even as the Year of the Ox dawns, a sense of dread and uncertainty looms over the head of many Malaysians.

But, as one may say, a new year brings new possibilities and some people are doing their best to remind their fellow neighbours that joy can be found even in the smallest things.

A grinning figure of a golden cow is an appropriate figure to welcome the Year of the Ox. (Jeffrey Law pic)

Ambang Botanic, a normally quiet, peaceful and relatively uneventful neighbourhood in the district of Klang, is now lit with colourful and vibrant decorations.

These decorations range from a cheerful figure of the Chinese God of Prosperity to a gazebo adorned with lanterns, and a figure of a grinning golden cow.

The streets leading to the neighbourhood guardhouse are also illuminated, with colourful holiday lights wrapped around and hung from trees.

The streets leading into the neighbourhood are lined with colourful holiday lights. (Jeffrey Law pic)

Driving through the neighbourhood will most likely evoke the seasonal cheer of Chinese New Year and that is quite likely the reason these decorations were set up in the first place.

When contacted by FMT, Jeffrey Law, a committee member of Ambang Botanic, said that the residents here have been putting up seasonal decorations for the past six years.

The neighbourhood park has also been extensively decorated for the holidays. (Jeffrey Law pic)

However, as the previous year was one that turned out to be particularly trying for all, he and a few other residents decided to put in more effort to keep everyone’s spirits up.

This was apparently an entirely private initiative, with the small group of residents putting in their time and effort to acquire and set up these decorations.

“The whole project was spearheaded by Steven Lim and Lim Chai Huat,” said Law.

“It took us about one month, as we worked tirelessly with contractors to get everything up.”

The team of residents who made this happen. From left to right: Nixon Wong, Lim Chai Huat, Steven Lim, Tony Chia, Jeffrey Law, Alvin Chua and Caleb Khoo. (Jeffrey Law pic)

With many people choosing to stay home during the holidays, it is hoped that the decorations will lift the gloom of the pandemic and give residents something to be cheerful about.

So perhaps, if you happen to be in the area and need something to keep your hopes up, take a stroll in the neighbourhood and let yourself be reminded that there is still much to look forward to in the coming year. - FMT