JASIN: As lanterns and red decorations go up in Merlimau, Datuk Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh is preparing to mark the Year of the Horse by hosting an open house in his constituency on Feb 28.
The Umno Youth chief said the event at SJK(C) Merlimau would preserve the traditional way of celebrating the Lunar New Year and would be open to people of all races.
"Everyone is welcome to attend the open house on that day," he told The Star on Monday (Feb 16), adding that he is the only non-Chinese assemblyman in the state to organise a Lunar New Year open house since being elected as the Merlimau representative.
Dr Muhamad Akmal said he began making Chinese New Year visits across his constituency on Friday (Feb 13) as he would be away performing the umrah pilgrimage from Monday (Feb 16) to Feb 24.
"Many of my constituents and former classmates invited me to their Lunar New Year open houses, so I decided to visit them earlier this year as I will not be around," he said.
Dr Muhamad Akmal said RM40,000 had been allocated to organise the open house, while RM10,000 in ang pow was distributed to teachers and pupils of Chinese primary schools in Merlimau.
He also contributed RM2,500 to a Chinese school to purchase lanterns and another RM2,500 to Bukit Katung New Village in Rim for the same purpose.
"An allocation of RM3,000 was also channelled to Kampung Kongsai in Merlimau to decorate the village with lanterns," he said.
Muhamad Akmal, who is also the Melaka rural development, agriculture and food security committee chairman, said he would visit his deputy, Low Chee Leong, for the Lunar New Year once he returns.
"I will visit him as my personal friend and as my colleague serving the state government," he added.
Earlier this month, Dr Muhamad Akmal dismissed allegations that he is anti-Chinese, saying his disagreements with DAP are political in nature and not directed at the Chinese community.
In the Keluar Sekejap podcast with Khairy Jamaluddin, he said his opposition to DAP was based on policy differences rather than race.
"When we are against DAP, we are against its policies. It has nothing to do with the Chinese community, and my mother-in-law is Chinese," he said.
In the past, the Umno firebrand has been vocal on several issues, including the upside-down display of the Jalur Gemilang, the KK Mart "Allah" socks issue, recognition of the Unified Examination Certificate and the redevelopment of Kampung Baru.
