Chinese community hopes Year of Goat brings more prosperity to nation

The Chinese community here hopes the Year of the Goat will bring prosperity, peace and greater unity after the nation faced many challenges in the Year of the Horse, last year.

Kuantan Chinese Association chairman, Datuk Chow Liong said although the Malaysian economy started slow this year, it was expected to become better later on.

"The country had been tested with various disasters last year, including the MH370 and MH17 tragedies and the devastating floods that hit several states.

"This year, we hope the Year of the Goat will bring more prosperity to the people and nation although the effects of the slow economy are being felt following the drop in oil price," he told Bernama when contacted, here, today.

The Kuantan Chinese Association will hold a Chinese New Year open house on Feb 28 at Sukpa Hall, here, and Chow is inviting all residents here to the event.

Acording to the Chinese zodiac, the Year of the Goat starts today until Feb 7 next year, and the goat is the eighth animal in the 12-animal zodiac calendar.

Eight is considered a lucky number as it brings good fortune and symbolises peace and prosperity.

Hoo Yet Ying, 33, from Peramu Baru, here, said the Chinese New Year this time was being celebrated on a moderate scale among family, relatives and friends due to the economic slowdown.

"Visits to family members, relatives and friends will continue and I hope this year will bring good health and prosperity to all my family members," said Hoo, who is a journalist with a Chinese newspaper.

Su Koh Li, 28, from Air Putih, said his family would be more prudent in their spending and this time, they had baked the festival cakes and cookies themselves as it was cheaper this way than to buy the ready-made ones.

"Usually, we will celebrate with our grandmother in Damansara, Selangor, and have a huge feast at a restaurant. However, this year we decided to celebrate in Kuantan and eat at home as it is more economical," Su said.