BY: Michelle Liew

The Year of the Tiger in conjunction with the Chinese New Year celebration this year is expected to further strengthen the relationship between the races in the country, besides bringing prosperity and well-being to the Malaysian Family, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob.

“Not just the Chinese community, this festival is also celebrated by all races in the country.

“This symbolizes our unity, in line with the spirit of the Malaysian Family,” he stated.

He arrived at about 9.30am in a red shirt and was accompanied by his wife Datin Seri Muhaini Zainal Abidin and was greeted by MCA President and Transport Minister Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong.

Ismail Sabri then joined the MCA leadership to mix ‘Yee Sang’ together at the beginning of the ceremony.

Also present at the ceremony were a line-up of cabinet ministers including Senior Minister of International Trade and Industry Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali and Senior Minister of Defence Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein.

Also present were former Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak and UMNO President Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

The ceremony was held in accordance with standard operating procedures (SOPs) and was limited to 300 invited guests, compared to the capacity of San Choon Hall which can accommodate up to 1,500 people.