THOUSANDS of people thronged Chew Jetty on the eve of the ninth day of the Lunar New Year to celebrate the Jade Emperor’s Birthday, which is one of Penang’s most significant Chinese New Year events, in a lively atmosphere filled with prayers, performances and fireworks.
Visitors and residents packed the jetty area as song and dance performances entertained the crowd, creating a lively festive mood throughout the evening.
A high-pole lion dance featuring daring acrobatic movements drew loud applause, while the midnight countdown and fireworks display brought the celebration to a vibrant climax.
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said the celebration was not only an important religious tradition for the Hokkien community but also one of Penang’s signature festive events that reflected the state’s multicultural harmony.
“The celebration allows both locals and visitors to experience the richness of Hokkien culture and traditions,” he said in his speech during the event.
Chow thanked Chew Jetty residents, other clan jetty communities and organisers for their continued efforts in making the celebration more vibrant each year.
He said traditional culture must be preserved through innovation to ensure it remains relevant for future generations.
Touching on issues faced by clan jetty residents, Chow said the state government is studying the existing Temporary Occupation Licence (TOL) conditions following concerns raised over new requirements imposed during renewal.
He said the state government wants to ensure residents will not be forced to relocate because of new conditions.
“Our aim is to achieve a win-win-win solution that allows residents to remain, preserves cultural heritage and supports development,” he said.
Chow said many residents spend more than RM10,000 a year maintaining their houses built over the sea, yet continue to stay despite various challenges.
“The state government values their commitment and will continue to study the existing regulations to ensure residents’ rights are protected while meeting development needs,” he said.
Former Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng said leaders must have the courage to speak up and act decisively in pursuing reforms.
He also reminded leaders not to forget their original mission and to always put the people first.
Deputy Women, Family and Community Development Minister and Tanjong MP Lim Hui Ying said the Federal Government would continue to support cultural development, stressing that culture is rooted in the people, associations and communities and must be preserved collectively.
Pengkalan Kota assemblyman Wong Yuee Harng said clan jetty residents represented George Town’s most authentic “living heritage”.
He said he had raised residents’ concerns over TOL renewal conditions with the Chow and hoped the Land Office would review the requirements to address the difficulties faced by residents.
Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Minister Steven Sim, who is also Bukit Mertajam MP, said Penang is a multicultural state where people value harmony and will not allow extremists to disrupt unity.
He encouraged visitors to come to Penang during the Chinese New Year to experience its diverse cultural activities.
Guests later took part in a yee sang tossing ceremony before counting down to midnight to mark the Jade Emperor’s Birthday.
Fireworks lit up the night sky as celebrants prayed for peace, prosperity and good fortune in the year ahead.
Among those present at the ceremony were Tan Sri Lim Kit Siang, Tourism Malaysia deputy chairman Datuk Yeoh Soon Hin, state Youth, Sports and Health Committee chairman Daniel Gooi, Komtar assemblyman Teh Lai Heng, and Chinese Deputy Consul General in Penang Ding Qiao.
Story by Edmund Lee
Pix by Siew Chia En and Muhammad Iqbal Hamdan
Video by Adleena Rahayu Ahmad Radzi