Multicultural spirit: Sultan Sharafuddin and Tengku Permaisuri Norashikin during their visit to the Penang Peranakan Mansion. — Photo from Selangor Royal Office Facebook
PETALING JAYA: As the Chinese community celebrate Chinese New Year with their fellow Malaysians of other races, the Yang di-Pertuan Agong and his fellow Rulers call on the people to strengthen the spirit of unity, goodwill and harmony.
In their Chinese New Year greetings, Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah and Raja Permaisuri Agong Tunku Hajah Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah extended their greetings to Malaysians who are celebrating Chinese New Year.
Their Majesties expressed hope that this special day would bring joy, prosperity, well-being and long-lasting health to those who celebrate the occasion.
“Their Majesties hope that the blessings of the New Year will continue to strengthen and improve the unity, spirit of goodwill and tolerance among Malaysians of various races and religions,” said a post on Istana Negara’s official website.
The Chinese New Year celebrations begin today, ushering in the Year of the Rabbit.
In a separate posting, the Sultan of Selangor Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah and Tengku Permaisuri Selangor Tengku Permaisuri Norashikin also extended their Chinese New Year greetings to those celebrating the festival.
The Selangor Ruler hoped that this type of celebration would continue to be a vital component in strengthening unity and harmony among the country’s various races and would be celebrated in a spirit of goodwill, tolerance and mutual respect.
“May this new year bring prosperity, joy and happiness to all of us,” he said in a posting on the Selangor Royal Office social media account.
The Sultan of Selangor and the Raja Permaisuri Selangor had also paid a visit to the Penang Peranakan Mansion located in George Town, Penang.
The mansion, which was built around 1893, is now a museum that houses various antiques, artifacts and a collection of Peranakan lifestyle items.
The royal couple was seen wearing red Chinese motif clothing as they posed for several photographs at the museum during their visit on Jan 13.
In Johor Baru, Johor Ruler Sultan Ibrahim Ibni Almarhum Sultan Iskandar called on the people of Johor to uphold the spirit of tolerance and harmony among all races, which he says are the cornerstone of “Bangsa Johor”.
“The spirit of ‘muhibah’ (goodwill) among people of all races, religions and cultures is imperative and should be practised by the people always.
“A multi-racial society like ours should always promote tolerance so that we can move forward as a nation.
“I take this opportunity to wish all Chinese celebrating the Lunar New Year happiness and prosperity always,” the Sultan said in his Chinese New Year greetings on Facebook.
