The Star Online: Metro: South & East
The Star Online: Metro: South & East |
- Three-day bash to usher in Christmas season in Kota Kinabalu
- Spirit of camaraderie at flag-flying contest
- Dr Chua: Non-Muslims not forced to accept Islamic laws
| Three-day bash to usher in Christmas season in Kota Kinabalu Posted: 12 Dec 2012 06:42 PM PST KOTA KINABALU: Christmas carols and performances ushers in the Yuletide spirit to the people of Kota Kinabalu. In just 12 days, the jingles of bells would ring in churches all over the world to symbolize the birth of Jesus Christ, which falls on Dec 25. As usual, the Kota Kinabalu City Hall and Sabah Council of Churches have organised a three-day Gaya Christmas celebration with the hope of preserving the spirit of Christmas and to foster unity and better relation with people regardless race or religion, creed or backgrounds. A two-way street along the Gaya Street in the centre of Kota Kinabalu city is packed with a total of 276 hawker stalls selling all sorts of food and goodies, except liquor and obscene. These stalls set up by members of various denomination of Churches and the public here complements the stage performances of Christmas carols which start from 6pm to 10pm daily, until Dec 13. This widely observed holiday not only attracted thousands of locals, it also caught the interest of tourists. Denis Krienbuehl, a visiting Swiss National who would be spending his Christmas in Sabah for the first time said he was amazed to see the huge crowd. "You don't get this kind of large gatherings back home, so I am truly surprised, said Krienbuehl who is back in Kota Kinabalu for the second time. "It looks like I will be back again soon and this time with some friends as well from Lucerne," he added. Likewise, 16-year-old Courtney Morton from Australia who is here with a group of friends said they were amazed at how people here could just get together and celebrate a festival regardless their backgrounds. "The tolerance and mutual respect among people here is amazing. This street carnival is beautiful and different. "Back home, we have house decoration competitions in conjunction with Christmas but not something like what Kota Kinabalu has," she said. Meanwhile, to highlight one of the main purposes of Christmas – a time for giving, the Sabah Council of Churches have selected three charitable organisations from among the churches as well as two non-governmental organisations to be recipients of money collected from those who generously contribute to the donation boxes nightly. With a RM10,000 cash bonus from Maxis Berhad, the five recipients this year — Rumah Agape Kundasang, Ranau Literacy Class, Tadika Ceria, Kampung Sonsogon Magandai, Kinabalu Pink Ribbon and Kasih (Aids support group) can expect at least RM4,000 each to support their respective activities. Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Musa Aman in his message published in the souvenir book for the occasion remarked that the Gaya Street Christmas Celebraton has grown in stature since its humble beginnings in 2005 and it was his hope that one day soon the event would be much talked about and one that would see visitors from all over coming to take part. |
| Spirit of camaraderie at flag-flying contest Posted: 12 Dec 2012 06:43 PM PST MALACCA: Some 30 individuals representing their respective organisations and associations were in jubilant mood when their teams emerged winners during a prize-giving ceremony held at a leading hotel here. The event that was held recently to a reward those who participated in the Jalur Gemilang flag-flying competition held earlier in conjunction with the National Day celebration. The winners, from various categoriesreceived prizes in cash, certificates and plaques. The competition also saw many schools, government departments and villages participating and it was organised with the aim of fostering closer ties among the various races in the state. Chief Minister, Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Rustam, who was invited as the guest-of-honour to the ceremony declared that the state government will continuously support any similar competition that could instil the spirit of solidarity and patriotism. He noted that the awareness on the importance of unity is a must in every Malaysian and such competition was a right platform to achieve it. Chairman of Taman Seri Chin-chin's Resident's Association, Ismail Jaamat said his neighbourhood were very elated to be the first prize winner of the residential category, as this was the first time they participated in such competition. "The patriotic competition has indeed help unite the residents," he said. Another winner of the primary school category, Thilaka Letchumy Nadaraja, a teacher of SJKT Ladang Tebong, who won the consolation prize, said her students were eager to show their love and devotion for the country. She also said that the students had put in a lot of effort decorating and maintaining the flags. The first prize winners who received RM1,500 cash were Kampung Pengkalan Batu, Malacca Historical City Council (MBMB), SMK Tinggi Perempuan, SK Tangga Batu and Taman Seri Chinchin. State Malaysia Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC), SMK Selandar, SJKT Batang Melaka and Taman Bemban Baru won the second prize that comes with RM1,000. |
| Dr Chua: Non-Muslims not forced to accept Islamic laws Posted: 12 Dec 2012 06:47 PM PST RAUB: The issue of the non-Muslims who were issued summonses for indecent behaviour in Kelantan became the rallying call to reject PAS' brand of hudud law. "Even a man together with another man looking at planes can get caught. This is not logical at all. "They have not taken over the Federal Government and they already want us to accept their Islamic law. Wouldn't it get worse if they take over the Government?" asked MCA president Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek while at the MCA's mega dinner. He said it was the world's biggest lie when PAS said hudud would not be imposed on non-Muslims. Dr Chua added that the Barisan Nasional state governments had never forced non-Muslims to accept Islamic laws. "You are allowed to consume alcohol, men and women don't have to sit separately and you can also enjoy a movie in the dark in cinemas while women can cut men's hair," said Dr Chua. He warned that there would be no turning back once hudud was passed as a law. Dataran Raub became the center of attention in this quaint little town when thousands of people turned up for the mega dinner. More than 5,000 members of the Chinese community in Raub came out in droves to join MCA's top leadership for an evening of food and political talks. Simpang Kallang resident V. Thevagge, 56, said this was the first time she saw so many of her Chinese friends gathered together. "I came with my friends since we are supporters of our MP Datuk Seri Dr Ng Yen Yen but I am rather surprised with this big crowd. "This goes to show that MCA is still supported by many. Even I support MCA," she said in Mandarin. The square was filled with boisterous applause and whistling when the guest-of-honour Dr Chua arrived. Also present were MCA deputy president Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai, vice-president Datuk Seri Dr Ng Yen Yen, MCA state assemblymen and division heads. During the dinner, Pahang MCA presented RM1mil in donations collected for the construction of the Kuantan Chinese independent school to Federation of Chinese Associations Malaysia president Tan Sri Pheng Yin Huah. Liow, who is the state MCA chairman, assured the people that Chinese education would never be forsaken by the Barisan government. |
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