Chingay Fest to go on as scheduled in Johor

Chingay Fest to go on as scheduled in Johor

The Chingay Festival, marking its 150th year, will proceed as scheduled.

Johor Baru mayor Datuk Adib Azhari Daud said that as of now, the festival would be held from Feb 11 to 15, amidst public debate about the coronavirus.
v “I would like to advise the public to take precautionary measures including wearing appropriate masks to protect themselves from airborne diseases.

“Vendors selling food during the parade should also ensure cleanliness and do their part to reduce the risk of spreading any disease, ” he said during the Johor Baru City Council full council meeting yesterday.

The Chingay Festival has been held in the state annually since 1870.

It is one of the main tourism programmes in Johor where thousands of local and foreign tourists from various countries would attend.

The event takes place mainly on Jalan Wong Ah Fook in the city centre here.

During the festival, deities worshipped by the five main Johor clans – Teochew, Hokkien, Hakka, Cantonese and Hainan – would be taken on a 7.8km-long tour on foot to bless the city and its people.

Johor Baru Tiong Hua Association president Ho Sow Tong said about 40,000 people attended last year’s festival.

The association was hoping to achieve similar numbers for this year’s festival but added that public health was their main priority.

“Those who are unwell should not attend the Chingay Festival and should get medical attention, ” he added.

Ho also advised the public to get the correct information about the coronavirus from reliable sources such as the media and government announcements.

~The Star~