Sarawak Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian speaking to reporters at the Malaysia-China Friendship Park in Kuching. - ZULAZHAR SHEBLEE/The Star
KUCHING: The Sarawak government will hold a Chinese New Year open house on the first day of the celebration, which falls on Feb 10.
Deputy Premier Datuk Dr Sim Kui Hian said this was the first time the state was hosting an official open house for Chinese New Year, similar to Gawai and Hari Raya.
"The basic idea is that the open house is part of our nation building. It is not just a political party or personal open house but an official Sarawak government open house," he said.
Dr Sim was speaking to reporters after unveiling a pair of Chinese couplets in conjunction with the 50th anniversary of Malaysia-China diplomatic relations at the Malaysia-China Friendship Park here on Wednesday (Jan 24).
The open house will be held at Borneo Convention Centre Kuching from 9am to 3pm.
Dr Sim, who is also Sarawak United People's Party (SUPP) president, said he would announce further details on Feb 2 after a second committee meeting.
He also said the SUPP open house would be held in Sibu for the first time this year.
"Since the official open house is in Kuching, we decided to have the party's open house in Sibu instead," he said, adding that the date would be announced later.
Dr Sim had chaired the official open house organising committee's first meeting on Monday (Jan 22).
"Although it's the first time, I'm confident with the experienced secretariat headed by deputy state secretary Datuk Hii Chang Kee and the full support of various Sarawak government agencies, Federation of Sarawak Chinese Associations, Sarawak Chinese Chamber of Commerce, Sarawak Chinese Martial Art Association and others, we should be able to organise a good Chinese New Year open house for every Sarawakian as part of nation building," he wrote in a Facebook post on Tuesday (Jan 23).
"Truly only in Sarawak, everyone celebrates each other's festivals together. Everyone is invited," he added.
