THOUSANDS of people, especially Taoist devotees, thronged Chew Jetty in Weld Quay, George Town to celebrate the Jade Emperor’s birthday (Thnee Kong Seh), which falls on the ninth day of Chinese New Year.
It is a major celebration for the Hokkien people in Penang; and this year, it was held on a grand scale after two years of muted affair due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
While many worshippers started their rituals on the night of the eighth day of the Chinese New Year at about 11pm, there were also many who waited until midnight to do so.
A long altar, placed in front of the Chau Yuan Gong Temple in Chew Jetty, was filled with offerings, such as flowers, oranges, roasted pigs, oranges, pineapples and sugar canes.
Legend has it that in China, the Hokkien people were once saved from their enemies when they hid in a sugar cane plantation. Since then, sugar canes are a ‘must’ in their worship out of thankfulness, and also for the protection of the Jade Emperor for their narrow escape.
Also present at the event were Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow, Deputy Education Minister Lim Hui Ying, who is also the Tanjong MP, Bagan MP and Air Putih assemblyman Lim Guan Eng, DAP veteran Lim Kit Siang, Pengkalan Kota assemblyman Daniel Gooi Zi Sen, who is also the organising chairman, Komtar assemblyman Teh Lai Heng, Chew Jetty Association chairman Chew Choon Seng and Penang Island City Council councillor Wong Yuee Harng.
Chow said this was the sixth time the state government had joined hands with the Chew Jetty Association to hold the lively and iconic celebration. For the association, it was its 116th Jade Emperor’s birthday celebration at Chew Jetty.
“I would like to thank the residents’ association and the people here for continuing this traditional custom.
“Besides this, the naming of the bridges or jetties after their surnames adds a precious heritage element to George Town.
“This custom can also enhance our outstanding universal value (OUV), thereby consolidating George Town’s status as a UNESCO World Heritage City,” Chow said in his speech.
Chow, who had a few hours earlier attended the 32nd Jade Emperor celebration by Persatuan Tarian Singa Jong Hwa Seberang Perai in Sunway Wellesley, said he was happy to note that the Chau Yuan Gong Temple in Chew Jetty, Weld Quay, has been restored and reopened.
When Chow last attended the festival celebration at Weld Quay in 2020, he pledged RM200,000 for the temple’s restoration work.
He said he appreciated the cooperation of the residents’ association, and the coordination of the relevant government departments and state legislators in ensuring the successful completion of the restoration project.
“With this achievement, I believe that as long as all parties, including government agencies, private enterprises, non-governmental organisations and people from all walks of life, are willing to join forces and cooperate, no matter how difficult or great the ambition is, it can be realised together.
“This is similar to the Penang2030 vision and the ‘LovePENANG Campaign’ initiated by the state government. Visions and campaigns require common understanding, cooperation and participation of all parties for them to be realised.
“In this regard, I am also very pleased to have gained the people’s understanding, cooperation and joint efforts for me to serve as the chief minister so that Penang can continue to shine gloriously and become a state Malaysia is proud of,” he said.
Other speakers like Chew, Gooi, Hui Ying and Guan Eng also wished the people good health and prosperity in this Year of the Rabbit.
To add merriment to the festival, there were dragon dance, lion dance, Chinese drum and singing performances, as well as several fireworks displays that splendidly lit up the night sky.
Many devotees were seen praying at the temple and other temples in the vicinity while many visitors, local and foreign, took the opportunity to explore the Chew Jetty.
It is one of the several wooden jetties in the waterfront settlement where many of its houses now sell snacks, souvenirs and desserts.
Roadside stalls selling a variety of food enjoyed a roaring business.
Story by K.H. Ong
Pix by Alissala Thian
Video by Darwina Mohd Daud