'CNY open house forges greater unity'

The tradition of holding open houses during the Chinese New Year celebration should be used as an opportunity to foster greater unity among Malaysians, said 1Malaysia Foundation trustee Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye.

He said the open houses helped to enhance harmony and unity among the multi-ethnic and multi-religious people of Malaysia.

"The tradition also reflects that the people of Malaysia are open, warm and peace-loving," he said in a statement on Saturday.

Lee, who is also a social activist, said this was what made Malaysia unique and an envy among many other nations with a multi-racial population.