KUALA LUMPUR: Chinese New Year celebrations across the country this year have been well received, with people from all communities and walks of life joining in with the spirit of joy of unity.
The Chinese community expect the Year of the Dog to bring happiness, harmony and success, with individuals required to improve their focus and believe in their own abilities.
In KUALA LUMPUR, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak and wife Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor attended the Chinese New Year celebrations organised by MCA at Wisma MCA, and the one by Gerakan at the PGRM Building.
Also present were Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, MCA president Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai, Gerakan President Datuk Mah Siew Keong, MIC president Datuk Seri Dr S.Subramaniam and MyPPP president Tan Sri M.Kayveas as well as other Cabinet ministers.
A wide variety of cuisine was provided for guests from various races as well as foreign tourists, who were also entertained with a lion dance, as well cultural, singing and martial arts performances.
The celebrations in KELANTAN were lively as well, despite having only about 34,000 people from the Chinese community in the state.
According to Kelantan MCA chairman Datuk Seri Hou Kok Chung, the celebration was made more special, as it was celebrated with other communities, as one big family.
In TERENGGANU, more than 1,000 people from the Chinese community attended an open house organised by MCA Terengganu in Kampung Cina, Kuala Terengganu, which was also attended by Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Ahmad Razif Abd Rahman and wife Toh Puan Seri Halina Zakaria, as well as State Assembly Speaker Datuk Mohd Zubir Embong.
Guests were also entertained with a lion dance performance by Chung Hwa Wei Sin Secondary School students.
In PERAK, Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir attended the open house hosted by former Lumut MP Tan Sri Kong Cho Ha in Sitiawan.
International Trade and Industry Minister II Datuk Seri Ong Ka Chuan is expected held an open house at his residence in Ipoh this afternoon.
In PENANG, about 5,000 people attended an open house organised by Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng at the Penang International Convention Centre (Spice) in Bayan Baru, George Town, which began at 10am.
Also present were Yang Dipertua Negeri of Penang Tun Abdul Rahman Abbas and wife Toh Puan Majimor Shariff, as well as Penang state executive councillors.
In MELAKA, Chief Minister Datuk Seri Idris Haron did not miss the opportunity to visit his former teachers Tan Peng Heng and Yew Gin Gee at Bukit Katil and Semabok.
In the afternoon, about 5,000 people attended the Melaka MCA open house at the Pay Fong Secondary School hall on Jalan Kubu.
In SARAWAK, more than 1,000 people from various communities enlivened the Sarawak United People's Party (SUPP) open house held at Jalan Tan Sri Ong Kee Hui in Kuching.
The event was attended by Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg and wife Datin Patinggi Juma'ani Tun Tuanku Bujang.
In SABAH, Yang Dipertua Negeri of Sabah Tun Juhar Mahiruddin and Chief Minister Tan Sri Musa Aman visited the open houses organised by Sabah Malaysian Crime Prevention Foundation president Tan Sri Andrew Liew, Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS), Sandakan BN, and PBS deputy president Datuk Thien Fui Yun.
In JOHOR, the Sultan of Johor Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar and Permaisuri Johor Raja Zarith Sofiah Sultan Idris Shah graced the residence of State Tourism, Trade and Consumerism Committee chairman Datuk Tee Siew Kiong at Taman Setia Tropika in Johor Baru.
Also present in the entourage were the Sultan's sons, Tunku Panglima Johor Tunku Abdul Rahman and Tunku Putera Johor Tunku Abu Bakar, and son-in-law, Dennis Muhammad Abdullah.
Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin, meanwhile, attended an event organised by the Chinese Federation of Johor Bahru at the Wong Shee Fun Hall in Wisma Tiong Hua.
In NEGRI SEMBILAN, Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan joined about 5,000 attendees at the state-level celebration held at the Seremban Municipal Council Hall.
He was greeted by Negeri Sembilan MCA chairman Datuk Seri Lim Chin Fui, MCA National Youth chief Datuk Chong Sin Woon, as well as state executive councillors and leaders of state BN component parties.
In PERLIS, the cheerful atmosphere was clearly seen with premises and residences, especially around the town of Kangar decorated with lanterns and other ornaments in red and gold.
In PAHANG, many from the Chinese community held open houses to celebrate the occasion with family and friends from other communities.
The public also took the opportunity to visit shopping malls around Kuantan, as well as tourist hotspots such as Teluk Chempedak, Batu Hitam Beach and Cherating.
In SELANGOR, Kapar MCA Division chief Datuk Song Kee Chai said it was customary for him to serve guests at his residence at his home in Klang on the first and second days of the celebration each year.
He said the Kapar MCA would host a celebration on Monday at Pulau Ketam, and in Sungai Lima Bagan on Thursday.
In KEDAH, many from the Chinese community took the opportunity to attend feasts with family members.
Kedah MCA deputy chairman Datuk Dr Leong Yong Kong said a state-level celebration hosted together with Gerakan would be held on Feb 19 in Alor Star, with Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Ahmad Bashah Md Hanipah also expected to attend. -- BERNAMA