SPEECH BY THE CHIEF MINISTER OF PENANG YAB TUAN CHOW KON YEOW FOR THE YOSAKOI PENANG! MALAYSIA DAY INTERNATIONAL PARADE 2022

 

17 September 2022

Karpal Singh Drive

 

YB Lim Siew Khim
ADUN Sungai Pinang & Organising Chairperson of Penang Yosakoi 2022

YB RSN Rayer
MP of Jelutong

Mr. Hiroyuki Orikasa
Consul-General of Japan In Penang

& spouse Mrs. Pauline Orikasa

Ms Emi Yamazaki
Co-Organiser and Founder President of Pink Hibiscus

Distinguished members & friends of the Diplomatic Corps (pronounced Khor) in Penang

 

Media Friends

 

Ladies & Gentlemen

First of all, I would like to congratulate and thank the organisers – YB Lim Siew Khim, Ms Emi Yamazaki of Pink Hibiscus Club and Encik Mohd. Muashraf, MBPP Director of Corporate Management, for having conceptualized and organised this unique Malaysia Day – Yosakoi event! This is the 7^th time Yasakoi Penang is being held with a 2-year pause in 2020 and 2021 due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

I am glad we are now back in action this year with more than 17 teams of Yasakoi dancers with a total number of 600 dancers from all over Malaysia and overseas performing here in Karpal Singh Drive this evening. This is definitely a good sign that things are returning to normal, that we can resume our large-scale physical interaction and more importantly, Malaysia Day 2022 is special this time. This is because the parade is attracting the participation of the international communities of Penang to celebrate our Diversity, Unity and Community.

Ladies & Gentlemen,

I am always amazed of the rich cultural diversity and heritage we have here in Malaysia. I am also particularly proud of the way we, Penangites and members of the international community here, work harmoniously for the common good of the State which we all love so much. The Penang lifestyle here is exemplary. We are peace-loving and we carry ourselves well especially when it comes to multiculturalism. We truly believe in Unity in Diversity.

As such, I must mention here that there is a close-knit Japanese community of about 3,500 people in Penang. Despite not particularly huge in terms of numbers, your contributions towards Penang’s cultural diversity are immense and remarkable. An example is the Pink Hibiscus Club, formed since 2005, which has been instrumental in promoting Japanese culture to Penang. Japanese calligraphy, yoga and kimono sessions, just to name a few, are very popular with the locals. Penang thanks you for continuously enriching our cultural life and cultural scene here for the past 17 years.

Ladies & Gentlemen,

The Penang Yosakoi which we are having today is one such event that has successfully pulled together peoples from all corners of the community through our common love for culture and dance, regardless of race, religion and nationality. I was told that we are expecting about 15,000 visitors this evening.  

That to me, is what Penang Yosakoi is all about – a showcase of Penang’s Heritage, the Creative capability of the people and the Unity that we all practise in daily life which is a reflection of what we in the State Government have envisaged through the Penang2030 and LovePenang initiatives.

To all friends who are here this evening,

It is my hope that the organisers will continue with your best efforts to make Penang Yosakoi, not only a shining example of what is possible in Malaysia, but also as a beacon event which attracts international attention towards our beloved Penang!

Without further ado, it is my pleasure to proclaim the Yosakoi Penang! Malaysia Day International Parade 2022 officially LAUNCHED!