Open house a cultural melting pot
Multiracial Penang folk arrive in droves for food and fun at Chief Minister’s CNY do

FOR the first time, a 73-year-old grandmother of seven drove with her friends from Permatang Pauh to attend Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow’s Chinese New Year open house at Setia Spice Arena in Bayan Baru, George Town, Penang.

Ooi Chai Hong said she decided to attend the event after hearing about it from her neighbours.

“I am super excited and happy to see the Chief Minister in person.

“I didn’t feel tired driving down with my friends to come here,” said the energetic Ooi, who enjoyed the food and cultural performances at the event.

Crowds enjoying a stage performance during Penang Chief Minister’s Chinese New Year open house.

Civil servant Mazidah Musa, 41, and her friend Izwan Ali Imran Wazani, 35, described the event as a cultural melting pot as it attracted people from diverse backgrounds.

“This open house culture is enjoyed by all Malaysians and the best part is that we don’t only celebrate Chinese New Year but all other festivals as well,” she said.

Mazidah said she attended the event to celebrate the festivities with her Chinese colleagues.

Besides locals, foreigners also participated in the two-hour open house.

Lion dance performers thrilling the crowd with their skills on stilts.

Introducing himself only as Dmytro, the 41-year-old Ukranian and his Russian wife Anastasia, 34, said the open house concept was unique as it was found only in Malaysia.

“We have travelled to different parts of the world and this is the only place where all the different festivities are celebrated jointly by people from diverse creeds and cultures,” he said.

The software engineer said he and his family enjoyed watching the performances especially the dragon show and partaking the local delicacies served there.

M. Barathi, 41, from Simpang Empat on mainland Penang, came with her husband R. Ananda, also 41, to experience the open house.

Dmytro (carrying child) and Anastasia say the open house concept is unique as it is found only in Malaysia.

“This is the perfect opportunity for all of us to show our strength despite coming from different backgrounds and faith,” she said.

Some 10,000 guests including tourists thronged Setia Spice Arena for the open house and to usher in the Year of the Dragon.

Among the VIPs were Human Resources Minister Steven Sim Chee Keong and Deputy Finance Minister Lim Hui Ying as well as other politicians and state leaders.

Penang Governor Tun Ahmad Fuzi Abdul Razak and his wife were greeted by Chow and other state leaders.

Visitors being offered mandarin oranges upon arriving for the open house.

Chow said the open house was an annual event that had become a platform for people to be with their leaders.

“The open house is not only during Chinese New Year but also during other festivals in the country.

“It is a good way for us to encourage each other to develop the state for the future,” he said.
FOR the first time, a 73-year-old grandmother of seven drove with her friends from Permatang Pauh to attend Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow’s Chinese New Year open house at Setia Spice Arena in Bayan Baru, George Town, Penang.