23/02/2026

MONDAY | FEB 23, 2026

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Malaysian Paper

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CNY event boosts community bonds

o Penang Mioahui festival features clan exhibitions, traditional performances and lantern displays

Ű BY T.C. KHOR newsdesk@thesundaily.com

GEORGE Lanterns, drumbeats and the buzz of thousands of visitors marked the 27th Penang Miaohui, during which culture proved that unity in diversity is not just an ideal but a lived reality. Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said the festival shows how understanding, friendship and shared traditions can bridge communities. “The fifth day of the Lunar New Year is always a day of happiness and hope. This year is even more special. Chinese New Year falls close to the start of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan. “At the Miaohui, we witness something very meaningful, two important occasions coming together,” Chow said during the launch on Saturday. He praised Masjid Lebuh Acheh and Sri Mahamariamman Kuil for opening their doors to visitors. “This allows everyone to better understand one another’s traditions and beliefs. This is something special. This is Penang.” Chow added that visitors could celebrate the Chinese New Year while also learning about the spirit of Ramadan. Describing Miaohui as more than a festival, he said it was a platform to share history, stories and values with the young generation. “We want our young people to know where we came from so they can move forward with confidence. We have many races, many religions and many cultures, yet we live together with respect and dignity. This is our strength. This is our identity.” He strongly rejected all TOWN:

Three festival participants posing with the God of Wealth during the event. – T.C. KOH/THESUN

plan to hold a Christian ceremony in Kuala Lumpur so that in the future, their children can understand both religions and grow up appreciating them. She added that their guests were thrilled by the lion dance performance and loved the food and atmosphere. Many Malay friends helped manage the event and even used Punjabi phrases such as Sat Sri Akal (a respectful Punjabi greeting) and Ji Aaya Nu (“You are most welcome”) while handing out door giftss. For Kajel and Jonathan, choosing to tie the knot on Valentine’s Day was simply another expression of love, bringing together faith, friendship and culture in a way that felt entirely their own. clan traditional performances, lantern displays and community events. Chinese Consul-General Zhou Youbin said Miaohui had over the years promoted Chinese culture alongside Penang’s multicultural heritage and had become a gold standard for Chinese New Year celebrations. “This year’s theme invites participants to decode time and space together and inherit cultural roots spanning a thousand years.” He described the Spring Festival as the culmination of traditional Chinese culture, preserved and celebrated by generations worldwide. “This steadfastness to our roots is precisely the inexhaustible source of exhibitions,

sentiments of racial divide and urged the community to “protect unity at all times”. “It is wrong when certain interest groups use racial issues to push their own narratives in ways that create misunderstanding and division. “Not to mention how, nowadays, social media algorithms indirectly amplify such sentiments,” he said. The 2026 Penang Miaohui drew an estimated 200,000 visitors, with 12 streets within the George Town Unesco World Heritage Site closed to traffic for the celebration themed “The Journey of Decoding”. In its 27th year since its inception in 1999, the festival transforms the heritage enclave into a vast open -air cultural stage featuring

characteristics. Zhou added that 2026 would mark the start of a new ‘Golden 50 Years’ of China-Malaysia friendship, citing the alignment of China’s 15th Five-Year Plan with Malaysia’s 13th Malaysia Plan and the continuation of bilateral cooperation.

Chinese remaining enduring and full of vitality overseas,” Zhou said. He also highlighted how traditions such as Yee Sang , the high-pole lion dance, Twenty-Four Festive Drums and Pai Ti Kong have been adapted with local culture

Thai-speaking local teacher winning confidence of students KUALA NERANG: For Sekolah Kebangsaan Lamdin senior

when discussing sensitive matters such as academic performance or disciplinary issues. “Using another language is not about showing off. It is about respecting the community and approaching them sincerely and effectively,” he said. He added that mastering the language of another ethnic group, however small the effort may seem, contributes to the spirit of national unity by promoting understanding, mutual respect and appreciation of differences. Beyond Thai, Amran also speaks basic Mandarin, having previously taught for 18 years at a Chinese vernacular school. He said the additional language skill further enhances cooperation between teachers and parents by removing communication barriers. Amran said he believes such efforts also leave a positive impression on students, as they see educators and families working closely together. “It may appear to be something ordinary, but it brings joy to the job. When we find joy in our work, it creates a positive impact in every aspect.”

administrative assistant Amran Salleh, speaking Thai is more than just a skill. It is a bridge that connects him to his students and their families. The 54-year-old said his fluency has strengthened ties within the predominantly Siamese community the school serves, making communication smoother and more meaningful. Amran, who grew up in Kampung Bendang Raja in Pendang, said he was exposed to the Thai language from a young age as many of his friends were from the local Siamese community. “Since school, I was already familiar with Thai. Over time, I made the effort to properly learn and master it,” he said in an interview with Bernama. His ability to converse fluently in Thai has proven invaluable during his 13 years of service at the school, which is located in a Siamese village. Of the more than 100 students enrolled, fewer than 10 are Malays. Amran said speaking the mother tongue of the students fosters trust and understanding, particularly

Punjabi couple wed multicultural-style KUALA LUMPUR: The wedding and lunch reception of Dr Kajel Kaur Gill and Jonathan Bhatti on Valentine’s Day in Ipoh, Perak, was described by guests as a truly unique affair. backgrounds. I am who I am because of the people I grew up with,” she told Bernama. She added that she chose to have a non-alcoholic reception out of respect for her multicultural circle.

Held at a halal venue, it featured a Chinese lion dance performance, a rare sight at a Sikh wedding. It also brought together guests of diverse races and religious backgrounds, reflecting the couple’s embrace of Malaysia’s multicultural spirit. For 30-year-old Kajel, who was Miss Earth Malaysia 2022, the celebration carried special meaning. “It felt like home,” she said. The marriage ceremony was conducted in a traditional Sikh manner, honouring the bride’s religious roots. “My closest friends and family members come from diverse racial

While both the bride and groom are Punjabi, they come from different religious backgrounds, with Kajel being Sikh and Jonathan, 30, being Catholic. Jonathan, an Ipoh-based automotive technician, said faith has always been the foundation of their relationship. “We may practise different religions, but our respect for each other’s beliefs has always been enough for us,” he said. Kajel, who works in a clinic in Ipoh, echoed the sentiment, saying they mutually agreed not to convert and