Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and several other Cabinet ministers today attended the Chinese New Year ‘open house’ hosted by Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng and the National Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Malaysia (NCCIM).
Dr Mahathir and his wife, Tun Dr Siti Hasmah Mohamad Ali, both in red attire, arrived at 10.40am and were welcomed by Lim.
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, accompanied by her husband PKR president Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, also attended the open house.
Among other Cabinet ministers who graced the event was Home Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.
Other VIP guests included China’s Ambassador to Malaysia, Bai Tian, and the British High Commissioner to Malaysia, Vicki Treadell.
Members of the public from all walks of life attended the open house, which began at about 10am.
Dr Mahathir, Dr Siti Hasmah and the other guests participated in the traditional tossing of the ‘yee sang’ salad.
In a speech, Lim said the open house was held in an atmosphere of goodwill as it was organised jointly by the chambers of commerce which represented the Malay, Chinese and Indian communities.
He added that the inter-racial goodwill was the character promoted by the Pakatan Harapan (PH) government led by Dr Mahathir.
“I am confident that the unity of the people can help us achieve sustainable economic development.
“Let us show that Malaysians can rise again so that the country can be known as an Asian economic tiger,” he said.
Guests at the open house were entertained to the traditional dances of the various races.
Yesterday, Dr Wan Azizah attended the Chinese New Year open house at the Kuala Lumpur and Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall (KLSCAH).
Dr Wan Azizah, who is also Women and Family Development minister, was joined by Defence Minister Mohamad Sabu, Primary Industries Minister Teresa Kok, and – in a show of Chinese New Year togetherness – MCA president and Ayer Hitam MP Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong.
Dr Wee said that Chinese New Year is a time for Malaysians to celebrate together.
“This festive season is for all Malaysians to celebrate (together) regardless of political creed and that is why at many Chinese New Year gatherings, you can see MPs and politicians from both sides.
“It’s a good culture and tradition. This is the strength of Malaysia, that we can fully celebrate our diversity and we can achieve unity in diversity,” he said.