977 metre yee sang enters Malaysia Book of Records

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak today joined about 20,000 people to toss a 977-metre "yee sang" in conjunction with a grand Chinese New Year celebration held in Jalan Bukit Bintang.

Najib was accompanied by his wife Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor, former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and wife Tun Dr Siti Hasmah Mohd Ali, and several cabinet ministers.

The yee sang, prepared by 69 professional chefs, was acknowledged and listed as the longest by the Malaysia Book of Records.

Yee Sang, is a must-have delicacy of the Malaysian Chinese community during the Chinese New Year celebrations as it symbolises prosperity and longevity.

Earlier, Najib and Rosmah were welcomed on arrival by 333 lion dance performers and drummers as they walked towards the main stage.

The prime minister also received a piece of drawing paper with the Mandarin word "sheng", meaning win, written on it after hitting the biggest drum on stage.

The Chinese New Year festival was jointly organised by 488 Chinese associations with the cooperation of 282 temple committees from throughout the country.