Sultan Johor attends Chingay Procession

 

Oriental Daily, February 29, 2016

Johor Bahru, Feb 28 – The Johor old temple deities Chingay Procession this year which was held tonight is even more significant with the presence of Sultan Ibrahim of Johor.

The Sultan arrived at the welcoming stage located along Jalan Wong Ah Fook as early as 8.19pm, the arrival of His Royal Highness’s limo caused public sensation and the people immediately waved the small state flags in welcoming the Sultan, His Royal Highness responded by waving to the crowds. Subsequently, under the lead of Johor Baru Tiong-Hua Association secretary Yap Yeen Min, the people shouted three times “Daulat Tuanku!” with the scene full of joy.

Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Mohd Khaled, Johor Tourism, Domestic Trade and Consumerism Committee chairman Datuk Tee Siew Kiong, MCA deputy president Datuk Wee Ka Siong had arrived as early as 8.15pm.

The ceremony started with Johor Baru Tiong-Hua Association president Tey Kim Chai delivered his welcoming speech and followed by the screening of Sultan’s short video which was posted on social media earlier.

Later on Sultan Ibrahim who was escorted by Tey Kim Chai, Tee Siew Kiong and Wee Ka Siong performed the drum beating ceremony, a repetition of attending the Chingay Procession when he was the crown prince ten years ago.

A tripod was then presented to the Sultan by Johor Baru Tiong-Hua Association as token of appreciation which followed by cultural dance performances by various Chinese societies from Johor Bahru.

It is understood that the organizer had just erected the welcoming stage yesterday in preparation for the arrival of the Sultan of Johor. Special squad from the police force arrived at 4pm today and stationed around the welcoming stage with tight security at the scene.

In addition, the organizer had also cordoned off both sides of the welcoming stage, Rela members were seen assisting the security force in monitoring the situation. In view of the purification work of the Segget River was still underway, the public were not allowed to stay along Segget River, they could only move on swiftly.

Tey Kim Chai: A new chapter is being written

Johor Baru Tiong-Hua Association president Datuk Tey Kim Chai said a new chapter of the Johor Old Temple Deities Evening Chingay Procession 2016 was being written with the presence of Johor Sultan tonight.

He said the Chingay Procession which started in 1870 has a history of more than 140 years, it was held on the 21^st day of the first month of the lunar calendar, and the parade was the climax of the Chinese New year.

He added that according to history records, the Chingay Procession had never been interrupted for more than 100 years, except during the Japanese occupation it was forced to stop.

Tey Kim Chai said in his speech delivered tonight that the Chingay Procession was the one and only in Johor Bahru and internationally known, it was the largest scale of temple festival in Southeast Asia outside China, every year the parade had attracted over hundreds of thousands of people including non-Chinese to attend.

“It has virtually promoted unity among different races and the interaction of people from different faith, culture and community in accordance with the concept of 1Malaysia.”

Tey Kim Chai said Malaysia is a multiracial country; hence understanding among various ethnicities is the foundation of the national unity, the three major races in the country were living in harmony, united and cooperated, striving together for the common goal of national sustainable progress.