Thousands usher in Jade Emperor's birthday in Penang

The Star

Weld Quay in George Town, Penang was buzzing with a hive of activities as thousands of ethnic Chinese of Hokkien origin ushered in the Jade Emperor's birthday on Saturday (Feb 17) night.   Read more at http://tinyurl.com/3tzetp6r  WATCH MORE: https://thestartv.com/c/news SUBSCRIBE: https://cutt.ly/TheStar LIKE: https://fb.com/TheStarOnline

Transcript

00:00 While key in Georgetown,

00:04 bustle with a flurry of activities

00:06 as thousands of Hokkien ethnic Chinese

00:08 ushered in the Jade Emperor's birthday on Saturday night.

00:11 The annual Ti Gong Sei or Jade Emperor's Birthday celebration,

00:15 known as Bai Tian Gong in Mandarin,

00:18 was in its 117th year in Penang.

00:20 Alongside cultural and dance performances,

00:28 the public was also dazzled by fireworks

00:30 presented by clan communities throughout the night.

00:33 Chief Minister Chow Kwan Yau arrived at around 11.15pm,

00:39 accompanied by Tanjong MP Lim Hui Ying,

00:41 DAP Supremo Tan Sri Lim Kit Siang,

00:44 Bagan MP Lim Kwan Eng,

00:45 Comtah Assemblyman Teh Lai Heng,

00:47 Chiu Chetty Chairman Chiu Chun Sing,

00:49 as well as State Assemblymen and State Leaders.

00:52 "Happy 4th Anniversary of the Penang Long Song!"

00:59 Chiu expressed the community's aspiration

01:02 for this year's celebration to bring prosperity and peace to Penangites.

01:06 Legend has it that centuries ago,

01:08 the Hokkiens faced annihilation in ancient China.

01:12 Seeking survival,

01:13 they hid in sugarcane plantations on the 9th day of the Chinese New Year,

01:17 each person clutching a sugarcane stalk

01:19 and praying fervently as enemy troops scoured the area.

01:22 It was believed that those holding sugarcane stalks

01:25 turned invisible to the soldiers, ensuring their survival.

01:29 This is why the 9th day of the Chinese New Year

01:31 holds profound significance for the Hokkiens.

01:35 (Hakka music)

01:37 (silence)

01:39 (silence)

01:41 [BLANK_AUDIO]

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