THE flag-raising ceremony for the 41st Malaysian Chinese Cultural Festival in conjunction with the 43rd anniversary of the Malaysian Chinese Associations Cultural Congress — an event of symbolic significance to the Malaysian Chinese community — was held this morning in front of the Penang Chinese Town Hall (PCTH).
Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said the ceremony was not only a solemn ritual but also a moment to reflect on history, affirm the cultural spirit and strengthen unity among Chinese associations.
He noted that hosting the annual flag-raising ceremony in Penang highlights the state’s role as an important platform for multicultural exchange.
“As chief minister, and also as a Chinese leader, I deeply feel the dual significance of this moment and recognise the responsibility and mission I carry at this point in history,” he said.
Chow added that whoever assumes the position of chief minister in the future should continue the tradition of attending the symbolic flag-raising ceremony every March as a gesture of support for the preservation of Chinese culture.
He emphasised that the Penang government would continue supporting the organisation of the Malaysian Chinese Cultural Festival, as well as the efforts of the Penang Chinese Town Hall and various Chinese associations in promoting cultural heritage, education and innovation.
Chow said Penang has long been a meeting point of diverse cultures, with George Town — a UNESCO World Heritage city — renowned for its vibrant and multicultural heritage.
“From temple festivals and grand flag processions to celebrations such as Thaipusam, different cultures interact and blend here, forming Penang’s unique cultural charm,” he said.
He expressed hope that younger generations would understand that culture is not merely preserved in museums but is part of everyday life.
“When young people learn calligraphy, take part in lion dance performances and experience traditional celebrations, culture takes root in their hearts and can be passed down from generation to generation,” he said.
Chow added that such cultural activities also help people from other communities gain a deeper appreciation of Chinese culture.
“Culture is inherently open and inclusive. It does not belong to any single community but serves as an important bridge that promotes understanding and unity in society,” he said.
He also thanked the Penang Chinese Town Hall for sustaining the flag-raising ceremony for 43 consecutive years, making it one of the most representative cultural events for the Malaysian Chinese community.
Looking ahead, Chow said the Penang government would continue working closely with the Federation of Chinese Associations Malaysia (Huazong), the Penang Chinese Town Hall and other Chinese associations to further promote cultural preservation and development.
He added that the state hopes to attract greater youth participation in cultural activities through innovative approaches while encouraging cultural exchanges among different communities to strengthen social harmony through mutual understanding and respect.
Chow also expressed hope that local culture could be promoted internationally and integrated with tourism and the creative industries, enabling culture to become a key driver of social progress and economic vitality.
Also present at the ceremony were Minister of Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives and Bukit Mertajam MP Steven Sim Chee Keong, state Youth, Sports and Health Committee chairman Daniel Gooi Zi Sen, PCTH chairman Tan Sri Dr Tan Khoon Hai, Federation of Chinese Associations Malaysia president Datuk Lim Kah Chuan, Chinese deputy consul general in Penang Ding Qiao and Howard Wong Yi Hao, representing Deputy Minister of Women, Family and Community Development and Tanjong MP Lim Hui Ying.
Sim said culture and the economy are both essential pillars of national development.
He noted that even if a nation achieves strong economic growth, neglecting culture and history would weaken its identity and foundation.
Sim said younger generations are increasingly using creative approaches and modern platforms to share stories of Chinese cultural heritage.
He cited the example of the more than 130-year-old San Jiang Temple, Penang, dedicated to Tua Pek Kong, which now uses technology to automate the ringing of its temple bell and has introduced online prayer services.
This enables devotees in places such as the United States, France, Singapore and Kuala Lumpur to perform traditional rituals remotely.
“This shows that our culture not only has roots but also wings. Tradition is not about simply copying the past — it is a living culture that evolves and innovates with time. That is the vitality of Malaysian Chinese culture,” he said.
Touching on Penang’s development, Sim said the state has long been characterised by dynamism and entrepreneurial spirit, with numerous major infrastructure projects progressing under Chow’s leadership.
However, he stressed that Penang must not rely solely on past success.
While the “Made in Penang” model has turned the state into a global manufacturing hub, he said the next stage should move towards “Made by Penang”, where Penang creates its own brands and value.
This vision forms part of his proposed “Penang 3.0” framework, driven by the “4T” pillars — Talent, Technology, Things (products or services) and Trademark (brands).
Lim commended Chow for adopting a consultative and tolerant approach in addressing issues related to land use and the legalisation of non-Muslim places of worship.
He said the matter had recently drawn considerable attention from the Chinese community and had been amplified by certain extremist voices.
“If the authorities adopt a rigid, one-size-fits-all enforcement approach, it could trigger religious and racial tensions. Therefore, the issue must be handled with prudence and tolerance,” he said.
Lim also highlighted Penang’s longstanding role as an important cultural centre, noting that the anniversary of the Malaysian Chinese Associations Cultural Congress and the festival’s flag-raising ceremony have traditionally been held at the Penang Chinese Town Hall.
He added that the Malaysian Chinese Cultural Festival, organised by Huazong and hosted annually on a rotating basis by state Chinese assembly halls, has over the past four decades become a major cultural celebration for the Malaysian Chinese community.
Beyond promoting Chinese culture, the festival also incorporates elements from other ethnic traditions, reflecting Malaysia’s spirit of multicultural harmony.
Tan said the first Malaysian Chinese Associations Cultural Congress was convened at the Penang Chinese Town Hall 43 years ago by pioneers of the Malaysian Chinese community.
He described the event as more than just a conference decision, calling it a cultural awakening that laid a strong foundation for the community’s future development.
Since then, the festival flag has been raised annually in front of the Penang Chinese Town Hall without interruption.
“It symbolises that culture is the soul of a nation and the foundation upon which a community stands in society,” he said.
Tan added that Malaysia’s multicultural identity requires mutual respect and appreciation among communities, allowing different traditions to flourish while enriching the country’s cultural landscape.
Over the past four decades, he said, the festival has evolved from a community initiative into a nationally influential cultural celebration.
Ding Qiao said Chinese culture remains a powerful bond linking Chinese communities around the world.
She noted that the Malaysian Chinese Cultural Festival, held in Malaysia for more than 40 years, has played a significant role in preserving Chinese cultural traditions while fostering multicultural exchanges and strengthening the long-standing friendship between China and Malaysia.
Ding said the Malaysian Chinese community has long been committed to preserving cultural traditions such as calligraphy, traditional martial arts and dragon and lion dances.
She added that the Chinese government also places strong emphasis on safeguarding traditional culture and hopes to further deepen cultural exchanges with Malaysian Chinese communities through expanded international cooperation.
Ding also invited the public to attend the China Higher Education Exhibition, which will be held at Han Chiang High School on April 9 from 9am to 2pm, offering information on opportunities to pursue studies in China.
Following the speeches, the flag-raising ceremony took place before the festival flag was formally handed over to this year’s host state, Melaka, represented by Melaka Chinese Assembly Hall president Fang You Peng.
The ceremony was further enlivened by a powerful 24 Festive Drums performance by students from Penang Chinese Girls’ High School, followed by songs presented by the Women’s Section of the Penang Chinese Town Hall.
Story by K.H. Ong
Pix by Muhamad Iqbal Hamdan
Video by Adleena Rahayu Ahmad Radzi