MEANINGFUL cross-community engagement remains vital to preserving Malaysia’s stability and development, says Tan Sri Chan Kong Choy.
The Terengganu MCA state liaison committee adviser said Malaysians should make more effort to understand each other’s way of life, culture and values.
“Meaningful communication and interaction can help bring people closer and strengthen ties among the different communities.
“I often tell my foreign friends that one of the most beautiful sights in Malaysia is seeing people of different ethnic backgrounds living harmoniously together,” he said at the Terengganu Mid-Autumn Festival.
The event, held in Kampung Cina (or Chinatown), Kuala Terengganu, brought together 47 Chinese associations and community organisations.
Chan said although the Chinese community in the state was relatively small, there had been growing participation in cultural and community activities in recent years.
He also thanked the organisers and Chinese community for their efforts in organising activities and encouraging greater interaction among the various communities.
Chan said the Mid-Autumn Festival had grown in both scale and participation over the past three years, reflecting strong response from the public.
He hoped activities like these would continue to receive support from the government, community organisations and the public.
Into its third year, the festival was organised by the 322 Action Committee in collaboration with Chinese associations, schools and community organisations in Terengganu.
Committee chairman Datuk Dr Monna Ong Siew Siew said the event was created to unite 47 state Chinese associations while serving the broader community.
“After three years, I am even more convinced that when a group of people are willing to move in the same direction, things will continue to get better.”
She added that the growing scale of the celebration showed the importance of unity and cooperation among community organisations.
Terengganu Chinese Assembly Hall president Ong Thian Chin said Malaysia’s multi-ethnic and multicultural society was something that should be valued.
He said every community had its own traditions and cultural heritage, highlighting that these differences could also help bring people together.
“These traditions not only enrich Malaysian society but can also serve as a bridge between communities,” he said.
Thian Chin also expressed appreciation to Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry and various government departments for their support for cultural and tourism activities.
He said continued cooperation between government agencies and community organisations was important to further promote cultural activities, interaction between communities and tourism.
The festival featured food and drinks as well as various cultural and community activities.
One of the main attractions was a lantern competition themed “Chang’e, Mid-Autumn”, depicting the Chinese Moon Goddess and central figure of Mid-Autumn Festival mythology.
SMJK Chung Hwa Wei Sin, with its four colourful trishaws featuring traditional Mid-Autumn Festival elements, won first place and bagged the prize of RM5,000.
Kuala Terengganu Kwang Tung Association, with its “Chang’e Descends to the Mortal World” themed entry, took second place and RM3,000, while Wei Sin Alumni Association came in third and won RM1,500.
