The boisterous Malam Mesra Gong Xi Fa Cai 2010 Bersama LA21 (Chinese New Year 2010 celebration with Local Agenda 21) at the Civic Centre car park on Saturday, 13th March 2010 is one of Petaling Jaya’s liveliest celebrations of the year.
Organized by Majlis Bandaraya Petaling Jaya (MBPJ) in cooperation with several residents associations (RA) and rukun tetangga (RT) in the neighbourhood, the event which started at 8.00 pm attracted over 2,000 people of all races.
Guest of honour Selangor state exco for Local Government, Study and Research YB Ronnie Liu Tian Khiew could not make it to the event at the last minute and was represented by Bukit Gasing state assemblyman YB Edward Lee who flagged off the procession.
YB Edward Lee is also the state's Tourism, Consumer Affairs and Environment Assistant Exco member to Elizabeth Wong.
Also present were Petaling Jaya Datuk Bandar (city mayor) Yang Berbahagia Dato’ Haji Mohamad Roslan Bin Sakiman, Petaling Jaya Selatan MP YB Hee Loy Sian and several MBPJ councillors.
The multi-racial crowd were in high spirits with the people of all races joining in the festive merry-making and happily intermingling. This augurs well for the nation as such cultural interaction among the different races can help bring them closer together and strengthen racial unity.
A large stage was set up where the guests were entertained with a variety of performances such as the dragon and lion dance, school band playing, mask-changing (bian lian) show and traditional Malay, Chinese and Indian dances.
A colourful street procession watched by a large crowd of people lining on both side of the streets in the Section 52 town centre was the highlights of the grand celebration.
MBPJ Malam Mesra Gong Xi Fa Cai organizing chairperson and MBPJ councillor Tiew Way Keng (centre) with Aman Suria Residents Association (RA) chairperson Wendy Chan (first from left) and Rukun Tetangga SS20 (a.k.a. Damansara Kim) chairperson Eileen Thong (second from right) among others getting ready for the street procession.
The tiger mascot representing the Year of the Tiger entertaining visitors to the Chinese New year celebration.
The Maybank's mascot Tiger is sponsored by the bank.
Maybank's tiger mascot made appearance to the delight of the children.
(From left) Organizing chairperson and MBPJ councillor Tiew Way Keng, Aman Suria Residents Association (RA) chairperson Wendy Chan and Rukun Tetangga SS20 chairperson Eileen Thong posing with the two tiger mascots of different appearance.
Organizing chairperson and MBPJ councillor Tiew Way Keng (third from right) posing with committee members of Section 21 SEA Park Residents Association (RA). Standing from left are Cliff Yin, Irene Tan, Susan Chan, Alex Ng and Lim See Pong. The SEA Park RA is one of the residents associations involved in c0-organizing the event.
The beautiful arch at the entrance to the Civic Centre car park where the Chinese New Year celebration is held.
Attractive and cheerful ladies. Astro 304 Jiayu channel Marry-Go-Round host Happy Mary (right) is the female host for the Malam Mesra Gong Xi Fa Cai event.
The large crowd at the Civic Centre car park where the Malam Mesra Gong Xi Fa Cai
Four lion dance troupes from Lion Dance Troupe of University Malaya welcome guests at the entrance to the Chinese New Year event.
The lions enthralled guests with their playful performance.
Children having fun with the playful lion. celebration was held.
The lion dance troupe entertains the diabled from Beautiful Gates Foundation For The Disabled
Fun with the Lion: A disabled child from Beautiful Gates Foundation For The Disabled gets a helping hand from Wendy Khoo Lean Sing of Section 21 SEA Park Residents Association (RA).
Even adults could not resist touching the lion's head for good luck.
Some even put their heads into the lion's mouth as this MBPJ enforcement drill officer did.
The MBPJ enforcement drill team (pasukan kawad penguatkuasaan MBPJ) having fun posing for photograph with the lions.
Hot tea beverage "teh tarik" for guests sponsored by Dairy Champ
Fascinating: Teh tarik demonstrator Mior Sazali Bin Mat Ali who is 2002 F&N TariKing Challenge Champion and now employed by Dairy Champ showing his acrobatic teh taik-making skills.
A favourite with Malaysians! Ready-packed chicken rice dish for guests. The chicken rice was pretty good like tender and packed with a great flavour punch.
Mandarin oranges for everyone. Mandarin oranges are symbol of wealth and good fortune.
The Indian dancers from Sharmala Barathanadya Dance Academy in Kelana Jaya in striking pose.
The Chinese fan dancers.
The break dance team from Rukun Tetangga (RT) Kawasan SS3, Petaling Jaya.
Some cool moves from the break dancer.
A break dancer showing off his skills.
The God of Prosperity "choy san yeah" handing out ang pows to guests.
A Malay family posing for photograph with the two tiger mascots and the God of Prosperity.
(From left) Loke Woh Kam, Alex Ng and Leong Yin Chee all from Section 21 SEA Park Residents Association (RA) posing with the God of Prosperity.
The Maybank tiger mascot gets attention from the school band members of SMK BU3.
The 'old lady' donning a mask in traditional costume is actually a man who is the 'sifu' (master) of the Yuen Leong Sing Fatt Lion Dance Troupe from Kampung Cempaka in Petaling Jaya.
The lion playing with the "old lady".
The pair of lions entertained guests with their antics.
Bukit Gasing state assemblyman and Tourism, Consumer Affairs and Environment Assistant Exco YB Edward Lee in his speech said he was happy with the turnout and hoped that the residents of Petaling Jaya will continue to give their support to the government to make this event a success.
YB Edward Lee (2nd from left), Dato' Haji Mohamad Roslan Bin Sakiman (3rd from left), Petaling Jaya Selatan MP YB Hee Loy Sian (4th from left), organizing chairperson Tiew Way Keng (4th from right) and MBPJ councillors on the stage.
YB Edward Lee received a mandarin orange from the lion. Looking on is Petaling Jaya city mayor Dato' Haji Mohamad Roslan Bin Sakiman. Mandarin oranges are symbolic of wealth and prosperity in Chinese culture and tradition.
Petaling Jaya city mayor Dato' Haji Mohamad Roslan Bin Sakiman receiving a mandarin orange from the lion.
Petaling Jaya Selatan MP YB Hee Loy Sian receiving a mandarin orange from the lion.
Organizing chairperson and councillor Tiew Way Keng receiving a mandarin orange from the lion.
A stilt walker dressed as one of the "Eight Immortals" handing out ang pows to the VIP guests. Seen here is Petaling Jaya city mayor Dato' Haji Mohamad Roslan Bin Sakiman receiving an ang pow.
In Chinese culture and tradition, it is considered auspicious to receive ang pows and even more auspicious if they contain money.
Guests receiving ang pows from the stilt walker dressed as one of the "Eight Immortals".
Some of the "Eight Immortals" standing on stilts handing out ang pows to guests.
A traditional Malay dance.
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A traditional Chinese fan dance.
A traditional Indian dance.
The hip hop dance impressed with their breakdance moves.
It was worth every second to watch the mask-changing show where the artiste changed the many layer of masks covering her face in split second each time she swiftly wave the foldable paper fan with her hand across her face.
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The large crowd checking on the lucky draw numbers on the whiteboard. There were more than 90 prizes to be given away for lucky guests.
Lucky man Abdul Manap (first from right) won the first prize of a 40" Samsung LCD TV in the lucky draw.
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Persatuan Perayaan Poh Toh chairman Gan Keng (right) called on stage to receive the Token of Appreciation from YB Edward Lee for the association's sponsorship of hampers for the Lucky Draw.
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Section 21 SEA Park Residents Association (RA) committee member Jimmy Tee Choon Er of (right) receiving the Token of Appreciation from YB Edward Lee for the association's role in successfully co-organizing the event.
Aman Suria Residents Association (RA) chairperson Wendy Chan (right) receiving the Token of Appreciation from YB Edward Lee for the association's role in succesfully c0-organizing the event.
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Rukun Tetangga (RT) SS20 chairperson Eileen Thong (right) receiving a Token of Appreciation from YB Edward Lee for the RT's role in succesfully co-organizing the event.
A representative from Dijaya Corporation Bhd receiving a Token of Appreciation from YB Edward Lee for the corporation's sponsorship of the Samsung 40" LCV TV.
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A representative from Maybank receiving a Token of Appreciation from YB Edward Lee for the bank's sponsorship of the Tiger mascot.
Street procession:
The street procession in the Section 52 town centre - a colourful array of dragon dance and lion dance, tiger mascots, God of Prosperity, carnival float, school marching band, MBPJ enforcement officers, cultural dancers, stilt walkers, classic Mini Cooper cars - proceeded from the Civic Centre car park through Jalan Yong Shook Lin to Jalan Sultan and back.
Bukit Gasing state assemblyman YB Edward Lee flagged of the procession. With him are Petaling Jaya city mayor Dato' Haji Mohamad Roslan Bin Sakiman (on Edward Lee's right) and Petaling Jaya Selatan MP YB Hee Loy Sian (on Edward Lee's left).
A pair of dragons with the pearl bearers lead the procession.
The VIPs joined in the street procession. Seen here are Bukit Gasing state assemblyman YB Edward Lee, organizing chairperson and councillor Tiew Way Keng and an official holding a flag bearing the logo of Local Agenda (LA) 21 which is a programme run by MBPJ related to sustainable development.
Petaling Jaya city mayor Dato' Haji Mohamad Roslan Bin Sakiman walked the streets accompanied by several MBPJ councillors.
The children dressed in Chinese New Year traditional clothes and carrying the lion's and dragon's heads joined in the procession.
The school marching band of SMK Bandar Utama 3.
The crowd get excited by the thundering entry of the school band.
The MBPJ enforcement drill team taking the march.
Stilt walkers dressed in costumes of "The Eight Immortals" of Chinese mythology. The "Eight Immortals" are a group of legendary fairies revered by the Chinese and considered to be signs of prosperity and longevity.
A brightly-lit colourful float in the procession.
Models in traditional clothes standing on the float waved to the crowd during the procession.
The decorated vintage car making its appearance.
A parade of spotless and polished vintage cars joined in the procession.
The pair of dragons making its way along Jalan Sultan.
Dragon dance symbolizes the bringing of good luck and prosperity in the new year.
The pair of dragons at the water fountain in the roundabout where Jalan Sultan and Jalan Yong Shook Lin joined.
The dragon chasing the pearl bearer who leads the dragon.
The dragon and lion dance performances on the street during the procession.
The lion and dragon dance troupes making its way along Jalan Yong Shook Lin.
The Little Buddha in a monk's robe and painted mask climbed on to a tree branch during the procession.
The dragon dance performance in front of the former State cinema in Jalan Yong Shook Lin.
The pair of dragons making its way back to the main entranc at Civic Centre.
Committee members of Section 21 SEA Park Residents Association (RA) wearing their RA jackets perform duty during the procession.
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