KUALA TERENGGANU: It was a ‘muhibbah kongsi’ of sorts in true 1Malaysia spirit as several Malay families and an Indian friend joined their host to welcome the Chinese lunar ‘Year of the Dog’.
The Chinese New Year luncheon was hosted by Terengganu Chinese Assembly Hall (TCAH) treasurer Steven Teo Soon Meng, whose family has been entertaining his friends with an Open House for half a century at his premises in Lorong Tembaga, off Jalan Pasir Panjang.
Among the guests were the families of Raja Zahid Raja Ngah, a friend for over 40 years, and Teo’s business associates Sabri Ali and A.D. Joachim.
Present were Teo’s wife Owee Eng See, sons Teo Wei Chung and Teo Wei Jun, daughters Teo Wan Lan and Teo Wan Ping, as well his brothers Teo Soon Kee and William Teo Soon Kiong.
Also there were TCAH president Tan Beng San and committee member Ong Thian Chin.
Teo said that his elder brother Soon Kee had flown in from Singapore with his family for the annual reunion, which also included their bed-ridden father Teo Kai Siang, 85.
Teo’s mother Kweh Eng Kin, had passed away several years ago.
“It was my father who had started this Open House during his younger time, by inviting relatives, friends, neighbours and business associates from all races.
“As this is my family house, I continued the tradition and many often looked forward to attending my luncheon, which is strictly halal.
“And among the favourite dishes are my Barbados Black Belly lamb curry and ayam kampung rending which goes very well with nasi minyak,” said Teo, who is also Terengganu Construction Association as well as Terengganu Construction Cooperative Berhad president.
He added that the Barbados Black Belly sheep and ayam kampong were bred at his own farm-cum-fruit orchard in Alor Limbat.
“I hope to keep this Open House concept going for as long as it takes, for it brings the different races together and forges a better relationship,” said Teo, who was TCAH organising chairman for the jut-concluded Chinese New Year carnival at the city’s Chinatown.