Sound expert aids Chingay while observing Ramadan
JOHOR BARU: Amid the Chingay Festival celebrations, sound technician Elias Othman labours under the sun, serving as a quiet bridge between cultures in the city centre.
The 48-year-old is working long hours outdoors while observing the Ramadan fast, as part of the sound system crew supporting activities at the Johor Ancient Temple, the focal point of the five-day festival that draws thousands of devotees and spectators each year.
“Living in Johor Baru, I’ve known about Chingay and watched it from the sidelines on and off over the past five years.
“This is my first time being directly involved in the festival,” said Elias.
With 19 years of experience in the sound and events industry, Elias said a friend invited him and his business partner to help manage the event’s sound system, and he accepted without hesitation.
“I saw it as a good opportunity to learn more about my neighbours. Ramadan is a month that encourages good deeds, and being good to neighbours and friends is part of that,” he said.
Despite working in crowded spaces and handling heavy sound equipment under the hot sun, Elias said fasting has not made the job any harder.
“I don’t see it as a challenge, and I did not make any special preparations. It is normal for Muslims to continue working in various circumstances during Ramadan,” he said.
Elias has been involved throughout the festival from March 6 to 10 and is especially looking forward to the highlight of the celebrations, the night parade taking place this evening.
“I enjoy watching the lively lion and dragon dances, especially the rhythmic beats of the Chinese drums and cymbals,” he said.
Johor investment, trade, consumer affairs and human resources committee chairman Lee Ting Han said holding the Chingay parade during Ramadan would not diminish the spirit of the celebrations.
Authorities approved the annual parade this year with an additional “zero noise” condition out of respect for Muslims observing the fasting month.
“Police officers will hold signage at four mosque locations to remind parade participants to lower their volume when passing by,” he said.
“This is to respect the dusk and terawih prayers, and the gesture will not affect the significance of Chingay itself.”
Celebrated by the Chinese community in Johor Baru from the 18th to the 22nd day of Chinese New Year, the Chingay Festival marks the end of the lunar festivities.
Major roads in the city centre will close in stages to make way for the parade, which is expected to set off from Xing Gong Temple in Jalan Ulu Air Molek at 7pm today.
Tens of thousands of devotees are expected to accompany the five deities on palanquins representing the Cantonese, Hainan, Hakka, Hokkien and Teochew dialect groups along an 8km route through the city.
The more than 150-year-old procession is an annual “tour” for the deities to bless the city and its people for the year ahead.
