KUCHING: More than 40,000 people are expected at the Chinese New Year (CNY) Open House 2012 to be organised by Kuching South City Council (MBKS) at Padungan here this Saturday.

MBKS Mayor James Chan Khay Syn said this year’s MBKS Chinese New Year Open House, themed “My City, My Home”, would be graced by Chief Minister Pehin Sri Haji Abdul Taib Mahmud and his wife Puan Sri Ragad Kurdi Taib.

This would be the third year MBKS was organising the Chinese New Year Open House for the city folk, and the event would be held at the MBKS compound, starting at 9.00am, this Saturday, two prior to ‘Chap Goh Mei’, Chan told a press conference yesterday.

He also disclosed that over 70 corporate bodies and associations, including some Malay organisations, would be taking part in the Chinese New Year open house “I am calling on the people to please come to this CNY open house.Don’t miss the opportunity.

No need to bring any money, just yourself, your children and loved ones,” he said, adding that would be good for families of various races to come and mingle around.

“We are doing this for the people, nothing political.It is a gathering of the people to celebrate Chinese New Year,” he emphasised.

On the event, Chan, who is also the Co-Chairman of the event, expressed his greatest wish for the people from walks of life to come together, have fun and great time and enjoy themselves.He said there would be lion and dragon dance performances to enhance the festive mood and make the event spectacular to all.

In addition, the local artistes will also present to entertain the crowds.

Chan said MBKS, as in previous two occasions, would spend very little for this year’s CNY open house as there would be a number of corporate bodies sponsoring the food and drinks for the people as part of their corporate social responsibility (CSR).

(Source: New Sarawak Tribune, 2 Feb 2012)