KUALA LUMPUR: Lanterns, laughter and the aroma of street food lit up the usually solemn grounds of the Bukit Seputeh cemetery last night as one of Kuala Lumpur’s oldest Chinese burial sites transformed into a festive carnival for the Lantern Festival.
Organised by the Association of Kwong Tong Cemetery Management Kuala Lumpur (KTC) the carnival came complete with bouncy castles, stage shows and a free food bazaar for more than 1,000 visitors.
“This is the first time we are having a festival celebration within the compound of our cemetery. Usually, when we had large gatherings in the past, they were always funerary related.
“With this festival, we hope to attract more people to our cemetery and raise awareness of its historical value,” said KTC chairman Yong Pock Yau.
The carnival is a joint effort of six Chinese organisations from Selangor and Kuala Lumpur which form the core committee of KTC.
They are the Hainan, Teo Chew, Ka Yin, Kwong Siew, Fui Chui and Char Yong associations.
Revealing that a budget of RM30,000 had been allocated for the event, Selangor and Federal Territory Kwong Siew Association executive adviser Lee Chun Kong, 83, said planning for the festival started before 2019 but due to restrictions imposed by the movement control order, its realisation was only made possible now.
“To us, it’s not a matter of how much money. Our goal is to show people how much improvement we have achieved over the past 20 years,” said Lee.
Founded in 1895, the 106.4ha cemetery is one of the oldest and largest Chinese cemeteries in KL.
This is where the grave of the third Kapitan China of Kuala Lumpur, Yap Ah Loy, is located.
Over the years, in addition to funerary services, KTC, has in addition to a memorial park, also set up a museum in memory of truck drivers and mechanics who had volunteered their services during World War Two.
Attending the event with friends was Subra PS Nathan, 28, a data scientist.
He admitted that it did not even cross his mind they were surrounded by a cemetery.
“I am just here to support my friend’s father who is a member of the KTC and to enjoy the performances they have lined up.”
