AS far as we know, the concept of the “open house” is unique to Malaysia.
Every major festive season sees people of all races and faiths visiting each other’s homes, enjoying the renewing of ties as well as the traditional food of different communities – pineapple tarts and kuih kapit during Chinese New Year, rendang and ketupat during Hari Raya, murukku and mutton curry for Deepavali, and Christmas cake and roast chicken for Christmas, to name a few.
For Chinese New Year, now that reunion dinners have been enjoyed and families have balik kampung across the nation, friends and neighbours are now beginning the visits that bring communities together.
We need to protect such celebrations and ensure they continue down the generations.
Unity is key in facing Malaysia’s challenges. We must strengthen our respect for Malaysians of different cultural backgrounds so that we can maintain our way of life, which is living in harmony.
Not only that, such cultural touchstones are unique aspects of our Malaysian identity which we can promote to tourists and prospective foreign investors.
On Wednesday, the first day of the Chinese New Year, Tourism Malaysia held welcoming receptions for tourists at our international airports in Kuala Lumpur, Penang, Kota Kinabalu, and Kuching.
Tourism Minister Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing has stated that his ministry will organise a reception for all festivities, including Hari Raya and Deepavali, to welcome visitors and to show off our multiculturalism.
Seeing different cultures living together in harmony, especially in this day and age, is something amazing that we really should appreciate more.
So this year, as the festivals come up, let us not only enjoy our cultural diversity but also value its uniqueness.
