Today and forever: Twenty four couples pledge their love and registered their marriage at Ipoh Chin Woo Athletic Association in conjunction with Valentine’s Day. — RONNIE CHIN/The Star
IPOH: High school sweethearts Lai Chee Shiang and Chin Xin Ting were among 24 couples who exchanged vows during a mass wedding registration ceremony held in conjunction with Valentine’s Day.
Lai, 25, a warehouse supervisor, and Chin, 24, an accountant, studied at the same school in Tanjung Tualang, and for the past nine years, they have been going out as a couple.
Chin said they studied at different universities after finishing school, before working in Singapore.
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“Both of us now work in Singapore. We have been going out for so long now, that we decided to tie the knot on Valentine’s Day,” said Chin after the registration ceremony held at the Ipoh Chin Woo Athletic Association hall here yesterday.
For another couple, Cheang Weng Wai, 33, and Liew Soo Yoon, 30, Valentine’s Day marked their four years as a couple.
Cheng, an account assistant, and Liew, a bank officer, both currently working in Singapore, said they have known each other for the past 12 years.
“We studied in the same school and university but were only friends then.
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“Only when we went to Singapore about four years ago did we go steady,” said Liew.
Foong Kuo Kang, 32, an IT engineer, and his 30-year-old hairstylist wife from Sabah met at university in 2013.
Foong said they have been a couple for nearly 10 years now.
“My wife loves to celebrate Valentine’s Day, and usually I will buy her flowers, and take her out for dinner.
“If the budget allows, then I will get her a gift as well. My wife, on the other hand, gives me a kiss,” he said in jest.
Another couple, Lee Chee Onn, 33, and his wife, Tan Lee Hii, 31, chose the date to get registered because it was special and easy to remember.
Lee, a salesman, said he met his hairstylist wife seven years ago, and finally, they are officially husband and wife.
“We chose this date because it is special, and we will definitely not forget our anniversary date yearly,” he said.
Another couple, Wong Hon Leong, 35, and Fong Cai Ying, 27, said after going out for four years, they finally decided to tie the knot.
Both of them are working at a store selling jewellery in Genting Highlands.
“I am from Ipoh, while my wife is from Gua Musang in Kelantan, and we met at work, fell in love, and decided to get registered on Valentine’s Day,” he added.
For couple Ooi Min Keun, 41, and Chan Yen Leng, 38, this was their third year together.
Chan works in a pharmacy, while Ooi runs his own transportation business, and they met through mutual friends.
Datuk Ooi Foh Sing, president of the Ipoh Chin Woo Athletic Association, wished the couples a happy married life.
He said Valentine’s Day was among the popular dates chosen by couples to register their marriage.
“What is important is to respect one another, and most importantly, for the couples to respect their parents and family members,” he added.
