New CNY record to be made at Bukit Bintang

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak will head a group of eminent leaders in attending the 'Chinese New Year Grand Celebration' at Bukit Bintang on February 17, with a potentially record-breaking Prosperity Toss or Lo Hei as it is known in Cantonese as the highlight of the festival.

Organisers of the Chinese New Year Grand Celebration will attempt to enter the record books with a Yee Sang or raw fish salad with fresh ingredients that is 999-metre long and 60 centimetres in width spread across Kuala Lumpur’s famous Golden Triangle area.

Also expected to grace the festival are the Deputy Prime Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, Former Prime Minister Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad, Minister of Federal Territories and Urban Well-Being, Datuk Raja Nong Chik Raja Zainal Abidin, and Kuala Lumpur Mayor, Datuk Ahmad Phesal Taib.

The celebration is organised by Human Voyage Sdn Bhd in collaboration with 12 Chinese national associations and Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) with the support and participation of more than 350 grassroots associations nationwide. The public is invited to be part of the one-day festival.

The Yee Sang, a delicacy synonymous with the Lunar Year celebrations, will be prepared by 99 chefs in an attempt to enter the Malaysia Book of Records.

The distinction of the longest Yee Sang in Malaysia is held by the Mydin Wholesale Emporium at the Melaka International Trade Centre with an 880m-long spread in 2012. The effort was recognised by the Malaysia Book of Records.

About 10,000 guests are expected to take part in the Yee Sang toss, a symbolic ritual to wish for good fortune and expand in abundance for the forthcoming year.

Besides being treated to the Yee Sang, guests and the public will be entertained by a Lion Dance performance by 333 different troupes and a variety of entertainers.

Human Voyage CEO Datuk Malik Mydin said the Lo Hei event is unprecedented as it gathers a massive number of grassroots associations to celebrate the Chinese New Year together with the nation’s leaders.

“Besides the Yee Sang, events lined-up for February 17 are designed as such to celebrate the festive season and entertain people from all walks of life.

“Come and have fun in a carnival-like atmosphere as we expect as many as 10,000 people to turn up,” Malik said.

Also present during the press conference were organising chairman Datuk Liew Poon Saik and deputy organising chairman, Mike Ho Sai Chong.

To facilitate the event, roads leading to the golden triangle will be closed at midnight on February 17. The public is advised to come early using the public transport.

Ho said a Chinese calligraphy themed Success will be dedicated to the Prime Minister.

“The Prime Minister then in turn will present certificate of appreciation to more than 350 grassroots leaders attending the event.

“An ‘angpow’ with a token sum of RM11 each will be given away to all the grassroots leaders by Tun Dr Mahathir to signify a blessing from an elder statesman,” said Ho, adding that they planned to make the event a yearly affair.

The public will also get to enjoy a music fest with entertainers such as Shila Amzah, Jaclyn Victor and Fu Qiong Ying performing before the crowd which will comprise the underprivileged, children from various orphanages and senior citizens from a number of old folks homes.