State support for Chinese cultural activities praised
KOTA KINABALU: Minister of Special Tasks Datuk Teo Chee Kang thanked Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Musa Haji Aman for granting the allocation to support Chinese cultural activities despite State revenue having been impacted recently by the drop in oil prices.
He hoped the dragon, unicorn and lion dance troupes in Sabah would actively showcase the unique lion dance culture during the Chinese New Year season.
“Nowadays, many bumiputras are participating in lion dance troupes which is a good sign because this showed that other races also enjoyed Chinese cultural performances,” he said, when handing over lion heads to 17 lion dance troupes from the west coast at Wisma Innoprise, Monday.
The 17 lion dance troupes were from here, Penampang, Kota Belud, Papar, Membakut, Beaufort and Sipitang.
Teo said the State Government is giving out 40 lion heads to lion dance troupes in Sabah this year in conjunction with the coming Lunar New Year – 20 less than last year. “In the past four months, the oil price has dropped from USD 100 per barrel to USD 50 per barrel today.
“This implies that our State’s revenue from oil has decreased by half corresponding to the fall in oil price,” he explained.
Hence, Teo said the State Government has followed the footsteps of the Federal Government to undertake prudent measures in its expenditure.
In spite of that, Teo said the State Government never ceased to support Chinese cultural activities, including the lion dance. Lion dance troupes who did not receive lion heads from the State Government last year were given priority this year.
“I hope the lion dance troupes in Sabah will understand.” Last year, the State Government contributed around 60 lion heads to lion dance troupes in the State.
Others present at the event included Assistant Minister to the Chief Minister Datuk Edward Yong Oui Fah, Liberal Democratic Party deputy president Senator Datuk Chin Su Phin, Likas Community Development Leader (PPM) Chin Shu Ying, Luyang PPM Datuk Agnes Shim and Sabah Dragon, Unicorn and Lion Dance Association Danny Kok The lion dance troupes that received their lions heads were Persatuan Tarian-Tarian Naga & Singa Lee Kiong Sabah, Jawatankuasa Penduduk Kolombong, Persatuan Tarian Tarian Unicorn Lee, Persatuan Tarian Naga Dan Singa Kwong Ngai Sabah, Kota Kinabalu Hakka Association, Persatuan Penganut Dewa Kuan Tee, Kelab Kebudayaan Sukodwagu Kadazandusun Murut (KDM) Inanam Sabah (KKSWI), Kelab Tarian Naga dan Singa Wan San Long Yi, Kelab Sukan dan Rekreasi Kg Tatahan Kionsom Inanam, Kota Kianbalu, Sabah, Pertubuhan Pendidikan Akhlak Che Sui Khor Kota Kinabalu, Persatuan Pengurusan Tokong Tao Yu Huang, Tuaran, Sabah, Papar Middle School, SJK© St Joseph Papar, Jawatankuasa Pengurusan Tokong Chik Sing Leak Sing, Membakut, Sabah, Persatuan Penganut Dewa Thien Fook Kung Beaufort, Sabah, Kuil Hock Teck Kong Sipitang and Persatuan Pengurusan Tokong Cina Kota Belud, Sabah. The remaining 23 lion heads will be given to lion dance troupes in Sandakan (8), Tawau (3), Lahad Datu (1), Semporna (1), Keningau (2), Tenom (2), Tambunan (1), Kudat (3) and Kota Marudu (2).
Meanwhile, Sabah Dragon, Unicorn and Lion Dance Association Danny Kok expressed his gratitude towards Musa for giving out the lion heads and unicorns annually since 2010. “We have to salute Musa, Teo, Senators and elected representatives who are instrumental in ensuring continuous sponsorship of lion heads.”
Kok also took the opportunity to advise lion dance troupes in the State to maintain discipline and order when they performing during the Chinese New Year.
“We do not want any unforeseen incidents like fighting. This is our Chinese culture, we are promoting 1Malaysia and 1Sabah,” he stressed.
Kok added that leaders of lion dance troupes have to be respectable in order to show other races that we were the model state.
“During Chinese New Year, we have (visiting) friends and relatives from other countries as well, so be disciplined and orderly,” he urged.
On another note, Kok thanked the individuals and organisations that were promoting the Chinese culture of lion dance. Also present political secretary to the Minister of Special Tasks Peter Chong and liaison secretary to the Minister of Special Tasks Albert Kok.
Source: Daily Express
