HARI RAYA AIDIL FITRI FESTIVAL CELEBRATION ORGANISED BY MICCI PENANG
SPEECH BY YAB TUAN CHOW KON YEOW, THE CHIEF MINISTER OF PENANG
HARI RAYA AIDIL FITRI FESTIVAL CELEBRATION
ORGANISED BY MICCI PENANG
13TH APRIL 2023
Dato’ N. Gobalakrishnan
President of the Malaysian Indian Chamber of Commerce & Industry (MICCI)
Dato’ S. Partiban
MICCI Deputy President
Dato’ SST. Muniandy
MICCI Vice President
Dato’ N. Vasantharajan
MICCI Immediate Past President
Dato’ V. Munusamy
MICCI Honorary Secretary
Mr. Patmanathen
MICCI Honorary Assistant Secretary
Dato’ M. Chandra Kumar
Honorary Treasurer
Distinguished guests,
All members of the Chamber and Management Council
Members of the Media
Ladies and Gentlemen
A very good evening to all of you.
It brings me great pleasure to be here with all of you once again, following the previous Ponggal Celebration which I attended earlier this year.
To begin, I would like to express my gratitude to the Malaysian Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Penang, for inviting me to today's event, which is a meaningful hamper presentation to the needy in preparation for the upcoming Hari Raya Aidil Fitri Festival.
It demonstrates the caring attitude of the Chamber towards the less fortunate people. And as far as I can recall, the Malaysian Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Penang has consistently extended a helping hand to those in need regardless of race and ethnicity, especially during the festival seasons.
I was informed that this time, they are providing hampers containing assortments of cooking essential items worth RM70 and RM50 cash each to 70 needy families in conjunction with the Hari Raya Aidil Fitri festival, which will be celebrated at the end of next week, for a total cost of RM 8400.
Taking this opportunity, I would like to thank and congratulate the President, his management council members and entire members for this commendable effort, which is consistent with the state’s initiative to uplift vulnerable communities and reduce inequalities.
At the State Government level, we greatly appreciate the involvement, role and contribution of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) who always come forward with various efforts and initiatives of their own through the organization of various community-based programs that will definitely help the State Government in realizing the Penang2030 Vision of ‘A Family-Focused Green and Smart State that Inspires the Nation’.
Not to mention, like the Penang2030 vision, it also coincides with the idea of Madani Malaysia which aims to celebrate diversity and bridge divides. The Federal Government allocated a total of RM 50 million to support various programmes, including ‘Kembara Perpaduan Malaysia Madani’ and ‘Ini Warisan Kita’. These programmes will encompass various activities focused on promoting unity and social integration among communities, such as unity sports league, cultural competitions, festive celebrations and culinary events.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
This evening’s occasion is indeed a way for all of us to come together as a multi-ethnic community of different faiths to celebrate the Hari Raya Aidil Fitri Festival. As we already know, every year for a month Muslims will fast, and to mark the end of the month of Ramadan in which Muslims have fasted diligently, they will then celebrate the day of victory by celebrating Hari Raya Aidilfitri.
In fact, not only Muslims, but we as Malaysians of various races and ethnicities will share this joyous Hari Raya Aidil Fitri atmosphere with our respective family, relatives and friends. This is the country of Malaysia that we all admire.
Overall, Hari Raya promotes a message of love, unity, generosity, and faith throughout the community. It is a time for celebration, reflection, and renewal of commitment to one's faith and community. And as such, I hope that we can all use this festival to assist the needy, learn more about one another, accept our different cultures and strengthen our bonds, for a better and brighter future for all.
With that said, I once again thank the Malaysian Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Penang for organizing and inviting me to this meaningful event. I hope that you will keep up the good work and continue to serve as a role model for others to follow suit.
Thank you and Selamat Hari Raya Aidil Fitri in advance.