IPOH: Sultan of Perak Sultan Nazrin Muizzuddin Shah and Raja Permaisuri Perak Tuanku Zara Salim graced the state Chinese New Year open house here today.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, his wife Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail and Perak Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad were also present.
More than 50,000 guests were treated to an array of dishes and were entertained by lion dance and musical performances at the event at the Lost World of Tambun here.
Their Royal Highnesses participated in the tossing of "yee sang" with Anwar and state executive councillors.
In his speech, Saarani said the Year of the Rabbit, which is associated with intelligence and calmness, was a good time to uphold unity in a multiracial society.
He urged the people rise above adversity and work together as the country recovered from the pandemic.
"The fact is, Covid-19 presented a great lesson for everyone. No matter how great the challenges are, they can be resolved with the spirit of unity and togetherness. These values are key to the country's survival."
Saarani said unity was important as the people faced the challenges that lay ahead in 2023.
"These challenges will require the state and federal governments to cooperate to maintain stability so we can restore the economy and create policies that can guide people."
He said the state government was guided by the wisdom of Sultan Nazrin, who prioritised the people's wellbeing.
Saarani said the state government would continue efforts to make the Perak Sejahtera 2030 plan a success and to carry out aspirations of the Malaysia Madani agenda announced by the prime minister.
Also at the event were Raja Muda Perak Raja Jaafar Raja Muda Musa, Raja Puan Besar Perak Raja Nazhatul Shima Sultan Idris, Raja Dihilir Perak Raja Iskandar Dzulkarnain Sultan Idris and Raja Puan Muda Perak Tunku Soraya Almarhum Sultan Abdul Halim.
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, Local Government Development Minister Nga Kor Ming and Human Resources Minister V. Sivakumar were also present.