39th National Chinese Cultural Festival torch relay makes second stop in Miri, draws crowd of 2,000

Wee (9th right), Yii (7th right), and others during the flag-off of the participants of the torch relay at Jalan Marina Bay in Miri on July 6, 2024.

By Tedong Rantayy

MIRI, July 7: The torch relay for the 39th National Chinese Cultural Festival made its second stop in Miri on Saturday evening (July 6), drawing a crowd of 2,000 participants.

This event began its journey in Limbang on June 22 and is set to conclude in Kuching on September 15.

Miri Mayor Adam Yii Siew Sang, in his opening remarks, highlighted the significance of the event.

“The event is very poignant and important because, at the end of the day, we live in a multiracial, multicultural, and multi-religious society,” he said.

“Miri, being home to more than 30 ethnic groups, embodies this motto of multicultural coexistence driving national prosperity. It’s commendable and very relevant for our society, as it symbolises harmonious coexistence and national prosperity,” Yii emphasised.

The torch relay ceremony in Miri started at Jalan Marina Bay, covering a 4km route to Tua Pek Kong, before concluding at Eastwood Golf Valley and Country Club.

The event also featured the handing over of the torch to representatives from the Bintulu division, marking the continuation of the relay.

First held in 1984, the National Chinese Cultural Festival torch relay is organised annually by various Chinese associations in Malaysia.

The last time Sarawak hosted the event was over a decade ago.

This year, the relay will travel through multiple locations in Sarawak, culminating in a grand cultural performance at Kuching Waterfront on September 15, with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg in attendance.

Key figures present at the Miri event included Sarawak Federation of Chinese Associations (SFCA) chairman Dato Richard Wee Liang Chiat, Federation of Chinese Association Malaysia (Huazong) president Tan Sri Datuk Sri Panglima Dr Goh Tian Chuan, Federation of Miri Division Chinese Associations (FCA) president Dato Goh Kien Ping, Youth Leader of Sarawak Chinese Association Coalition Sean Huang, and event organising chairman Kelvin Chia. — DayakDaily