COLOURFUL Baba Nyonya dance and music performances filled the air at the Penang contingent police headquarters (IPK Pulau Pinang) yesterday evening (Feb 17).
The guests were also treated to a scrumptious dinner and were entertained by an energetic Chinese drum performance, exciting Chinese diabolo, lion dance on stilts, and dragon dance performances.
Those were the highlights during the first-ever Chinese New Year (CNY) celebration held at the Penang contingent police headquarters.
Penang police chief Comm Datuk Mohd Shuhaily Mohd Zain said the celebration was a gesture of appreciation for the Chinese police officers, who are of the Tiong Hua community.
“This is the first CNY celebration held at the IPK Pulau Pinang, which is in line with the spirit of togetherness and unity.
“The spirit of togetherness and unity is advocated by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
“Former police officers are also celebrating this momentous night with us.
“In the force, we are ‘colour-blind’ and we are a happy family,” Comm Mohd Shuhaily said.
He thanked Penang Special Branch director Winston Tan Thye Wah, who was the organising chairman of the celebration, for making the event a success.
The celebration was attended by Penang Governor Tun Ahmad Fuzi Abdul Razak and his consort Toh Puan Khadijah Mohd Nor, as well as Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow.
Chow lauded the Penang police for successfully organising the CNY celebration at IPK Pulau Pinang in Penang Road.
“This is indeed a merry celebration. I was informed that other festivities such as the Hari Raya, and Deepavali will also be celebrated.
“This shows the openness of the Penang police in celebrating cultural diversity in Malaysia, which should be emulated,” he said after the event.
Story by Tanushalini Moroter
Pix by Siti Nuratikah Rahmat