ALOR GAJAH: The “can-do” spirit of Kampung Baru Machap Umboo residents is on full display ahead of the Year of the Snake as they took the extra step of using recycled items including drink cans in their annual festive decor.
The community has transformed its enclave into a fairyland of lights, with the replica of a snake featured as a decorative highlight, symbolising the age-old tradition of celebrating Chinese New Year in the village.
This year’s lantern decorations are different from the villagers’ previous efforts as they incorporated recycled materials, said Datuk Yap Yeong Leong, the adviser of the lantern decoration project.
The move is in keeping with the times when the environment is being given the utmost attention, locally and globally.
“Beyond the beauty of the decorations, the villagers have embraced an eco-friendly approach by making use of recycled materials to create those ornaments,” he said after the launching of the Kampung Baru Machap Umboo’s lantern festival by the Malaysian Chinese New Village Secretariat chairman Khoo Poay Tiong on Saturday.
Also present was Machap assemblyman Datuk Ngwe Hee Sem, who is also the state executive councillor in charge of health, human resources and unity.
An estimated over 2,000 recycled items were used to create the pieces to brighten up the village, Yap revealed.
“We collected cooking oil bottles, drink cans and bottles before turning them into lanterns,” he said.
The village, he added, has become a magnet not only for locals but also tourists who are eager to experience the festive atmosphere of Chinese New Year and capture photos of it.
Yap said the initiative was born out of discussions with the villagers, resulting in decorations that stood out compared to previous years.
Khoo, also the Kota Melaka MP, applauded the villagers for their communal effort in enhancing the upcoming CNY celebrations.
He noted that this spirit of cooperation has led Kampung Baru Machap Umboo to win first place in the National Lantern Decoration Competition last year.
“We can see how the villagers have creatively decorated their settlement with recycled materials and a modest budget,” he said.
Ngwe said the uniqueness of this lantern festival could draw more tourists to the state during the festive season.
“This initiative by the Kampung Baru Machap Umboo residents supports and promotes the state’s tourism sector, particularly as Melaka is hosting World Tourism Day this year,” he added.
