Centre of attention: Residents sharing a light moment with the ‘God of Prosperity’ during the Chinese New Year celebration at Idaman Lavender Apartment in Sungai Ara, Penang.
GEORGE TOWN: Residents in an apartment here took the spirit of neighbourliness to another level when they joined hands to hold their own multiracial Chinese New Year open house.
They collected about RM4,500 to party together complete with a lion dance performance and smashing firecrackers ceremony.
A total of 16 residents chipped in to cook a potluck, making sure the food was halal so that their Muslim neighbours could dig in too.
The muhibbah open house was held yesterday at the lobby area of the two-block Idaman Lavender Apartment, which is a 15-year-old apartment building in Sungai Ara.
Rohaizat Adli Mohammad Tajudin, 35, said the money collected was used to buy extra food, firecrackers, pay for the lion dance and buy items such as plastic utensils, drinks and others for the open house.
“This is one of the many ways we can foster closer relationships with our multi-racial neighbours from different backgrounds,” he said.
His neighbour Woo Chun Kai, 43, said he and several neighbours got the idea to hold the muhibbah event a few weeks before Chinese New Year.
“We were casually chatting and this idea of what to do for the upcoming festivals was discussed when one of them suggested to hold a Chinese New Year open house.”
“The idea was well received by everyone and we quickly got down to the planning,” said Rohaizat, who is a supply chain manager.
Factory supervisor Che Wa Hashim, 42, said when she first heard about the proposal in the residents’ WhatsApp group, she was excited and had pledged to sponsor laksa.
“First thing that crossed my mind was that it was a great idea and healthy for the apartment camaraderie to strengthen the bond among the residents,” she said.
Che Wa said the spirit of muhibbah among the residents was clearly displayed even before the open house was held when the residents came together to decorate the apartment blocks.
She was also happy to note that the food and drinks served at the event were halal, which showed the sensitivity of the non-Muslim residents towards their Muslim neighbours.
Another resident, G. Kasthuri, 48, described the open house as a good platform for them to get to know each other as they had been living at the same apartment for many years.
“Although I have lived here for about a year, I don’t know many of the neighbours well.
“This event opens up an opportunity for us to strengthen our relationship not only as neighbours but also as Malaysians,” she said.
The senior human resource executive said she came with her family and helped other residents in preparing the food.
The apartment’s Residents’ Association chairman Hasrul Nizal Bab Hashim said the association supported the idea which was mooted by the residents.
“We welcome any ideas from the residents and we want to promote this muhibbah spirit as much as we can,” he said.
He said similar open house events will be held for the other festivals and hoped that residents from the 350 units at the apartment would join hands to hold the events in the spirit of muhibbah and unity.
The Chinese New Year open house at the Idaman Lavender Apartment started at noon and ended around 4pm.
