KUALA LUMPUR: There was a lively atmosphere at the MCA's Chinese New Year Open House which was attended by all parties, races and groups, says Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong.
The MCA president said he was also honoured to welcome Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to the party's Chinese New Year 2023 open house.
"Chinese New Year is celebrated by all races so this time, we invited everyone.
"And we feel honoured that the Prime Minister could make it to our event.
"When I paid a courtesy call on the prime minister at his office recently, just when I was about to hand him the invitation, the prime minister had immediately said that he will be attending the open house after about 25 years of not visiting Wisma MCA.
"So, today, we can see that the atmosphere is lively.
"If we compare it with last year, there was a strict adherence to the standard operating procedures (Covid-19), but now this year we are heading towards endemic," he told reporters at the party headquarters Sunday (Jan 22).
He pointed out that it was a good sign that the event was attended by party leaders from all across the political divide.
"The situation is all smooth and the prime minister, together with the deputy prime minister, and all other party leaders are all here together.
"This is a good sign because we are supporting the Unity Government and we need to cooperate despite our political leanings.
"This is a 'compulsory' destination for Chinese New Year and who else but MCA would organise it," he said.
Also present at the open house were Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan, Barisan Nasional secretary-general and Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir, Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing, and MIC deputy president Datuk Seri M. Saravanan
Other Pakatan Harapan leaders present included Communications and Digital Minister Fahmi Fadzil.
Guests were treated with the lion dance performance at the entrance of the party headquarters.
The prime minister, Dr Wee and other top leaders had tossed the Yee Sang, a delicacy synonymous with the Lunar Year celebrations.
