Hundreds throng Cultural Float Parade
Kota Kinabalu: Hundreds lined the roads from Bundusan to Bukit Padang for the Cultural Float Parade, on Saturday evening.
The parade was hosted by the Che Hor Khor Moral Uplifting Society in conjunction with the Official Birthday of Head of State Tun Juhar Mahiruddin.
A dozen colourful floats, depicting various cultural, landmark, floral and fauna figures lighted up the roads as bystanders grabbed the opportunity to snap photos with them.
The parade was flagged-off at the Wong Kwok Go-Kart before making it way to Bukit Padang, while passing by a grand stand for guests of honour set up next to the Church of Mary Immaculate.
The parade was participated by temples, schools, as well as Sabah Tourism Board (STB).
Also taking part was a lantern procession and a school marching band.
Meanwhile, Deputy Chief Minister cum Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Christina Liew said the event showcased the rich and diverse cultures of the various ethnic populace in Sabah as the floats’ designs and construction reflect such diversity.
“It can also promotes unity and harmony as well as an avenue to promote the tourism sector,” she said in an officiating speech read by Api-Api community development leader Grace Lee.
“Tourists can witness and experience the diversity of our culture and heritage through this colourful and joyful event.”
She also hoped the Che Hor Khor Moral Uplifting Society will continue their generous spirit in lending a helping hand to the community.
“The society is well known for their charitable works and an ever willing spirit to help improve the social welfare of the needy in various remote areas of Sabah, such as providing financial aid to the families of the mountain guides who perished in the earthquake a few years back, as well as to the flood and fire victims in Penampang and Kudat,” she said.
Che Hor Khor Moral Uplifting Society President Wong Sound Sing said he hoped the event will be turned into an annual affair to help promote tourism in the State.
The organisation, he said, was established in 2002 with the prime objectives of promoting good moral values as well as to carry out charitable deeds.
“Among the recent contributions by the society were the donation of daily essentials and stationery to the fire victims of SMK Datuk Mojuntin hostel in Penampang and financial aid to SM Pei Tsin hostel in Kudat,” he said.
Also present were Kota Kinabalu MP Chan Foong Hin, Likas assemblyman Tan Lee Fatt, Luyang assemblyman Phoong Jin Zhe and United Sabah Chinese Communities Association of Kota Kinabalu president Datuk Susan Wong, and Malaysia-China Chamber of Commerce Sabah Branch president Datuk Frankie Liew. – Ricardo Unto
Source: Daily Express
