BAU: Lion dance performances may be a common sight during the Chinese New Year, but a Christmas celebration with a lion dance performance?
That’s something out of the ordinary and it can only happen in Sarawak.
During a Christmas open house at Tasik Biru assemblyman Datuk Henry Harry Jinep’s residence at Bung Konis, Kampung Tanjung Bowang here, a lion dance troupe entertained the crowd.
Moreover, instead of having a Santa Claus, there was a God of Wealth to hand out sweets to the children.
Henry told reporters that the lion dance troupe from Kampung Musi offered to do the lion dance performance for Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg.
“That’s the uniqueness of Sarawak. Today, we have friends from Johor who are Muslims, and tourists as well. They saw something different in Sarawak and have witnessed our culture and unity here,” he said.
Henry said a good example of the understanding among different races and religions could also be seen from the Chief Minister himself who went to all the Christmas open houses organised by Christians.
“Sarawakians from all walks of life have been living in peace and harmony all this while and that unity must be protected,” he said.
Henry said there were people who wanted to disunite the people in Sarawak, which he believed under the leadership of Johari would not happen.
“There are some who take our resources and then forget all about us,” he said.
Henry urged all Sarawakians to be careful and take good care of the state.
Among those present at the gathering were Welfare, Community Well-being, Women, Family and Childhood Development Minister Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah; Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah; Batu Kitang assemblyman Lo Khere Chiang; and Ministry of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports permanent secretary Datu Ik Pahon Joyik.
