Villagers deck up Machap Baru New Village for CNY

FESTIVE MOOD...Fu (second from left) posing for a picture at a decorated street in Machap Baru New Village to mark the Lunar New Year.

ALOR GAJAH: A resident of the Machap Baru New Village here has been working since 2007 to transform it into a tourist attraction during the Chinese New Year festive season.

Speaking about his work with local MCA leaders, Fu Yap Long said that anyone is welcome to visit and appreciate the village.

“We maintain our core virtues of being friendly, modest and patriotic without forsaking the traditional values passed down by our forefathers,” said the 70-year-old.

He said this when met on Friday (Feb 2) night after the launching of the village's Chinese New Year decorations by Melaka health, human resources and unity committee chairman Ngwe Hee Sem.

"It wasn't an easy task at the beginning but I received overwhelming support from local MCA leaders to spearhead the plan," said Fu.

He said he started by cultivating "Mei Hua" or plum blossom flowers, adding that there are over 60 of these plants in the village.

“Tourists from Hong Kong, China, Indonesia and South Korea have started coming here," he said.

On this, resident and former Melaka exco member Datuk Lai Meng Chong said that the villagers have consistently supported the initiative to promote Machap Baru as a centrepiece for the Lunar New Year.

He said the villagers also contributed close to RM100,000 to realise a meaningful Year of the Dragon.

"We are a close-knit community and the Chinese New Year festivity is hyped up at the Machap Baru New Village all because of our cooperation," added Meng Chong.

Similarly, the village's Lunar New Year organising chairman Lai Kah Haw said the festivity and atmosphere in the village is in full bloom with red lanterns and trimmings around the streets.

Meanwhile, Alor Gajah MCA leader and lawyer Koh Qi Min said villagers put a lot of effort to liven up the festival.

"The villagers made the celebration picturesque with the hope that younger generations preserve their traditions while celebrating the Lunar New Year," he added.