GEORGE TOWN – The annual Thnee Kong Seh (Jade Emperor) birthday celebrations, which is part of the extended Lunar New Year festivities went ahead on Monday night, despite concerns over the surge in Covid-19 cases here.
But the standard operating procedures were seemingly in place as the celebrations were more low-key compared to the bustling festivities during the pre-pandemic years.
The event was more of a private affair, but a small crowd was allowed to be present, said Pengkalan Kota assemblyman Daniel Gooi Zi Sen.
He said the official celebration was scrapped but a smaller version was allowed to mark the auspicious occasion.
The state police contingent also held a brief programme to mark the occasion as part of its community outreach programme with head Datuk Mohd Shuhaily Mohd Zain in attendance.
The Chew Jetty, located in his constituency, used to host elaborate celebrations before the pandemic, where grand feasts, lion dance performances, elaborate food offerings and fireworks would be presented.
The celebration starts on the night of the eighth day of Chinese New Year as the next day is deemed to be the Jade Emperor’s birthday.
It is also customarily called the Hokkien New Year as it is a major celebration among the Hokkiens – the dominant Chinese clan in Penang.
Meanwhile, Penang yesterday recorded 1,010 Covid-19 cases, bringing the total active cases to 4,770.
In addition, Gooi said the restoration works on the 117-year-old Chau Yuan Gong Temple, which started in 2020, was completed in accordance with heritage conservation guidelines, since the temple is within the Unesco World Heritage Site here.
“It cost RM2.5 million to restore the temple, with majority of the donations raised by the community. Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow donated RM200,000 in his capacity as Tanjong MP while the state contributed RM50,000 through its fund for non-Islamic places of worship,” he said in a statement. – The Vibes, February 10, 2022
