Malaysian Chinese usher in year of monkey with joy

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Friday, January 23, 2004

Malaysian Chinese usher in year of monkey with joy

The Malaysian Chinese ushered in the Year of the Monkey (the Chinese Lunar New Year) with great joy nationwide on Thursday as the monkey is regarded as a symbol of agility and intelligence.

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The Malaysian Chinese ushered in the Year of the Monkey (the Chinese Lunar New Year) with great joy nationwide on Thursday as the monkey is regarded as a symbol of agility and intelligence.

Leaders of the Chinese-based political parties and the Chinese community held the Open House across the country in keeping with the rich Malaysian tradition and entertained people from all walksof life.

Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and Deputy Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak wish all Malaysian Chinese Gong Xi Fa Cai when attending the Open House hosted by MCA and GERAKAN, component parties of the ruling National Front.

The Malaysia Chinese Association (MCA) and the Malaysia People's Movement Party (GERAKAN) are the largest and the second largest Chinese-based political parties in Malaysia.

Free food is served for thousands of guests at the Open House, followed by cultural performances like the one where a golden monkey brings good news, songs, dances and a fashion show.

"In this Chinese New Year, let us in unison resolve, regardlessof race and religion, to bring Malaysia to greater excellence," Abdullah said in his Chinese New Year message on Tuesday.

"With a firm determination and commitment, we must create changes that will be a catalyst for progress not only for us as individuals but for this beloved nation of ours," he said.

Malaysia is a multi-racial country with a population of some 24million. It consists of the Malays who make up 58.1 percent, the Chinese 24.3 percent, the Indians 6.9 percent and the indigenous inhabitants in Sarawak and Sabah (East Malaysia) some 4 percent.

Source: Xinhua

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