Najib's presence enlives MCA's CNY open house

Attired in a maroon coloured traditional shirt of the Chinese community, Najib, who was accompanied by his wife Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor and children Ashman and Nooryana Najwa, arrived at 9.45am and was welcomed by a lion dance troupe to the cheers of the audience who were very excited to be able to get a glimpse of the Prime Minister up close.

Also present were Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin and his wife Puan Sri Norainee Abdul Rahman, former prime ministers Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and Dr Mahathir's wife Tun Dr Siti Hasmah Mohamed Ali.

On hand to welcome the dignitaries was MCA president Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek and other top leaders of the party. The guests included Malaysia's Special Envoy to India and South Asia Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu, MIC president Datuk Seri G. Palanivel, Gerakan president Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon and People's Progressive Party senior vice-president Datuk Maglin Dennis D'Cruz, who is also Deputy Minister of Information, Communications and Culture.

Upon arrival, Najib, who is also chairman of the Barisan Nasional (BN) and Muhyiddin, the deputy chairman, boarded a special bus with an open roof to to cut a ribbon to launch the special MCA bus on which the slogan 'Stability Above Chaos' was painted.

This is the first time MCA has organised its CNY open outside the party's headquarters, Wisma MCA in Jalan Ampang, and the move was taken so that it could cater to a bigger crowd.

Najib and all the other leaders, all of whom were attired in red, an auspicious colour to the Chinese community, were then ushered to the stage to toss "yee sang".

Yee sang is a Teochew-style raw fish salad. It usually consists of strips of raw fish (most commonly salmon), mixed with shredded vegetables and a variety of sauces and condiments, among other ingredients. It is considered a symbol of abundance, prosperity and vigor.

When approached by reporters, Najib said the organising of the open house showed the BN was a coalition that put the people first.

He said the Year of the Snake bore special significance to the Chinese community in Malaysia at it was hoped would bring many blessings to Malaysians.