IN the spirit of unity, a national primary school in Sibu, Sarawak celebrates Chinese New Year yearly with red lanterns throughout the school - though it does not even have a single Chinese student.
The red lanterns are not only put up in the school but also at the An-Nur Mosque located right next to it, reflecting the tolerance and harmony in the East Malaysian state.
According to reports in Sin Chew Daily, the school with 680 pupils has been putting up the lanterns for the last 10 years.
It has also been organising Chinese New Year celebrations to usher in the lunar new year with its Muslim and Iban students.
As for the teachers, the majority are Malays, while there are also Melanaus, Ibans and six Chinese.
Its headmaster, Hamdi Najdi said Chinese New Year is celebrated as one family where people of all races live in harmony.
During the Covid-19 pandemic, the school skipped the celebration for two years and resumed the practice it started more than 10 years ago.
Hamdi said the school also organises activities related to Chinese New Year to help pupils understand the Chinese cultures, customs and traditions.
"Mutual understanding and tolerance among different ethnic groups will lead to greater unity and national integration," he added. - The Vibes, February 3, 2024
