Single mothers and orphans feted at Mid-Autumn Lantern and Mooncake Festival

KUALA LUMPUR - A riot of colours and lights decorated Petaling Street last night, as the Kuala Lumpur Chinese Assembly Hall (KLCAH) and Women’s Division and Drug Prevention Association of Malaysia (Pemadam) celebrated the Mid-Autumn Festival with single mothers, orphans, and the less fortunate from various ethnic backgrounds.

The event was aimed as a way to strengthen bonds between ethnic groups through cultural celebrations and also as a cultural activity for the community and Kuala Lumpur city folks.

1000 mooncakes and 1000 lanterns were distributed to children, single mothers and orphans, while some 200 orphans were invited to join a parade.

The event was graced by the presence of Deputy Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Khairul Firdaus Akbar Khan accompanied with a lion and dragon dance performances and a fireworks display.

Meanwhile Kuala Lumpur Chinese Assembly Hall president Datuk Seri Dr Chai Kee Kan expressed his gratitude towards the supporting associations including the Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL), Kuala Lumpur Hawkers' & Petty Trades' Association, and Malaysia Lantern Art Association for their contributions in making the event a meaningful success.

He hoped the Mid-Autumn Festival celebration would become an annual event for the Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry and DBKL to showcase diversity and the bonds of communities in the nation.

Pemadam deputy president Datuk Haji Mohd Suhaimi Haji Abdullah encouraged the community to promote a healthy lifestyle and prevent themselves from self-destructive behaviours such as the use of drugs, cigarettes, vape, alcohol and gambling.

Khairul Firdaus concurred with Chai stating the importance of celebrating the cultural celebration and the importance to have celebrations like the mid-autumn festival as it had a lot of meaning behind it.

“I remember playing with lanterns as a child and how I lit it and seeing it fall back to the ground.

“The lantern festival is important for the Chinese community,tonight is not just meaningful for the Chinese community, but for all those in the Federal Territories.

“We will try to have this festival annually for KLCAH to have this programme with collaboration with other organisers to ensure it goes on, we will facilitate these events to ensure it goes smoothly,” he said.