BY: STEVEN KHOO

Malaysia is flush and awash with a gamut of activities as Malaysian Chinese go about celebrating Chinese New Year with a big bang to usher in the Year of the Prancing Horse which is supposed to usher in greater growth and economic prosperity for all.

Traditionally, and in times past, Chinese New Year was basically confined and celebrated by the Chinese community in the country, but not anymore, as it has opened up to Malaysians of all races, foreigners, migrants and tourists and visitors.

The Malaysian Chinese are now not alone in going about celebrating, whether in lighting fireworks, tossing ‘yee sang’ or being entertained by lion dances which mark the occasion to ward off evil and ill luck to replace it with good fortune and prosperity.

While superstitious beliefs abound among the Chinese, there are many Malaysians who take it with a pinch of salt and see it now as more a form of entertainment that colours and lights up this festive season for everybody.

This opening up or the mixing and mingling of Malaysians of all walks of life is witnessed by the holding of ‘open houses’ and the giving of Ang Pows and mandarin oranges to foster solidarity and unity among the people.

The most important factor of Chinese New Year is the abundance of food and beverages from all over the world that the hosts and guests can tuck into and enjoy and relish which is really a joyous once-in-a-year affair.

-THE MALAYSIA VOICE

** The views expressed on this opinion is of the writer and not the publisher