PM and MCA leaders lead celebration

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, third from left lou sang with, from far left, MCA president Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai, Federation of Chinese Associations Malaysia (Huazong) president Tan Sri Pheng Yin Huah, its deputy president Datuk Cheng Lai Hock, Plantation Industries and Commodities Minister Datuk Seri Mah Siew Keong and Chinese Ambassador to Malaysia H.E. Bai Tian at the Huazong Chinese New Year celebration at Wisma Huazong in Seri Kembangan, Selangor on Saturday, Feb 24, 2018.

SOME 1,200 members from 118 Chinese associations and guilds nationwide welcomed MCA president Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai at Wisma Huazong during a Chinese New Year celebration in Serdang.

He attended the event organised by the Federation of Chinese Associations Malaysia (Huazong) in Seri Kembangan Saturday morning.

Liow arrived at 9.45am to greet Huazong members.

Minutes later, guests of honour Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak and his wife Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor arrived.

ACCCIM president Tan Sri Ter Leong Yap (sixth from left) presenting a token of appreciation to Najib (fifth from right) at the chamber's Chinese New Year Grand Dinner. Looking on are (from left) Dr Wee, Lion Group executive chairman and Parkson Holdings Bhd chairman Tan Sri William Cheng, IOI Corp Bhd founder and executive chairman Tan Sri Lee Shin Cheng, Puan Sri Chelsia Cheng (William Cheng's wife), Puan Sri Kwan May Yuen (Ter's wife) , Liow, Selangor Umno chief Tan Sri Noh Omar, Top Glove Corp Bhd executive chairman Tan Sri Dr Lim Wee Chai and Gerakan president Datuk Seri Mah Siew Keong.

As many as 120 tables were laid out for the members with the biggest table, with a seating capacity of about 50, in the centre of the auditorium for the VIPs.

Among other leaders at the event were MCA deputy president Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong, Gerakan president Datuk Seri Mah Siew Keong and Huazong president Tan Sri Pheng Yin Huah.

Chinese ambassador to Malaysia Bai Tian and Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission chief commissioner Tan Sri Dzulkifli Ahmad also attended the function.

In his speech, Pheng praised Najib for actively promoting bilateral relations with China since he took office, rekindling diplomatic relations that was first promoted by his father.

God of Prosperity giving a mandarin orange to a visitor at the ACCCIM Chinese New Year Grand Dinner in Setia City Convention Centre.

Najib, in his speech, said relations with China was at an all-time high and will be furtherstrengthened under his leadership.

A yee sang-tossing session was also held during the celebration.

Later the same night, Liow and Najib attended a grand Chinese New Year dinner hosted by the Associated Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Malaysia (ACCCIM) at the Setia City Convention Centre in Shah Alam.

The dinner was attended by over 3,500 guests from the Chinese commerce and industry in Malaysia.

An energetic song-and-dance performance at Huazong’s Chinese New Year celebration.

In his speech, Najib described the dinner as a “reunion” between ACCCIM and the Government considering the good relationships formed over the years.

“We all recognise that whenever Chinese New Year is celebrated, there’s a very strong element, which is getting together by starting with a reunion dinner among family members.

“This evening is also a reunion for us, where we get together to feel a sense of camaraderie and new commitment to work together to achieve a more prosperous, successful and united Malaysia,” he said.