Usccakk praised for organising Chinese cultural events
KOTA KINABALU: The new state government under the leadership of Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Shafie Apdal will continue to support the cultural activities of all ethnic groups, including Chinese events, said Minister of Health and People's Wellbeing Datuk Stephen Wong.
Stephen also announced a sponsorship of RM10,000 for the Chinese New Year Dragon, Unicorn and Lion Dance Festival and Cultural Village Exhibition organized by the United Sabah Chinese Communities Association of Kota Kinabalu (Usccakk).
Usccakk president Datuk Susan Wong Siew Guen and her committee members paid a courtesy call on the minister on Wednesday to brief the latter on the upcoming event to be held at Likas Sports Complex on January 19.
Stephen was invited as a special guest for the event to accompany the guest of honour, Shafie, in officiating at the Chinese New Year Dragon, Unicorn and Lion Dance Festival.
He also praised Usccakk for their efforts in organizing the Chinese New Year Dragon, Unicorn and Lion Dance Festival and Cultural Village Exhibition to promote and preserve Chinese culture.
Meanwhile, Susan described Stephen as the pride of the Cantonese community and the Wong clan as well as a role model to the Chinese community for his commitment in addressing issues relevant to his ministry and finding solutions to the problems.
She said the Chinese New Year Dragon, Unicorn and Lion Dance Festival, held from 12.30pm to 6pm, would include exciting performances by the dragon, unicorn and lion dance troupes, appearance by the God of Fortune, 24 festive drum show and a luminous dragon dance.
Susan said the Cultural Village Exhibition would start at 8.30am on the same day at the Likas Sports Complex multipurpose hall corridor.
The 15 clan associations in Usccakk, namely Hokkien, Hakka, Hainan, Sze Yip, Teochew, San Chiang, Kwong Siew, Tai Poo, Lung Yen, Northern Chinese, Foochow, Ann Koai, Eng Choon, Hin Ann and Nam Ann, will each display their own tea culture and pastries for sampling.
The Cultural Village Exhibition will be launched by the Consul General of the People's Republic of China in Kota Kinabalu, Liang Caide, while Stephen was invited as a judge for the teas and pastries presented by the associations.
The competition will select five first prize winners, five second prize winners and five third place winners.