Chingay set to excite revellers in Johor Baru

The crowd watching performances at the Chingay celebrations along Jalan Wong Ah Fook in Johor Baru last year. - filepic

JOHOR BARU: Every year thousands of people throng the city to take part in the Chingay celebration and this year, more are expected to join in the festivities as the procession is streamed live via online platforms.

Besides online news portals, several television stations from China are expected to make a documentary of the procession, which is expected to reach more than 100 million viewers.

Johor Tourism, Trade and Consumerism Com­mittee chairman Datuk Tee Siew Kiong said this event was a huge tourism boost for the state.

“We expect to attract at least 500,000 visitors during the four-day event from March 6 to 9,” he said, adding that the main event would be on March 8.

He added that the event would be streamed live via Facebook and Youtube and other platforms.

Tee said he was confident many tourists from neighbouring countries, including Singapore, would be in town to witness the procession.

He added that Johor Ruler Sultan Ibrahim Ibni Almarhum Sultan Iskandar was expected to take part in the celebration on March 8 with Johor Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin.

Scores of devotees in the parade will march along a 7.8km stretch, taking the deities of the five main dialect associations on a tour of the city.

A traditional ritual will be carried out on the 18th day of the Chinese lunar calendar.

The elaborate rituals will begin with a symbolic lighting ceremony, followed by a street cleaning event the next day to ward off evil spirits and purification of the deities before being taken on the procession.

On the last day, the deities will be carried back to the Ancient Temple, bringing to an end the Chinese New Year celebrations for Johoreans.

Tee urged the public to come early on March 8 and park their vehicles at designated areas as vehicles parked indiscriminately would be towed away.

Several major roads will be closed at different times, namely Jalan Trus, Jalan Air Molek, Jalan Yahya Awal, Jalan Ibrahim, Jalan Wong Ah Fook and Jalan Gereja.

Chingay celebration set to be spectacular event