[KatoeyLover69]

Report from The New Straits Times dated Friday 10 February 2006 :-

Chap Goh Meh extravaganza at Danga Bay, Johor Bahru

JOHOR BARU, Thurs.
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About 100,000 people are expected to attend the state-level Chap Goh Meh celebration at the Festive Street Mall in Danga Bay on Sunday.

Organised jointly by the Johor Tourism Action Committee and Danga Bay Sdn Bhd, the Chap Goh Meh celebration, which marks the end of Chinese New Year festivities, promises to be a colourful tourism extravaganza.

Organising chairman Freddie Long said the Chap Goh Meh tradition goes back some 4,000 years.

He said thanksgiving ceremonies were usually held in temples with devotees making last requests for prosperity, since it was on Chap Goh Meh that the God of Prosperity was believed to depart for heaven.

"Marking the 15th day of the Chinese New Year, the event is highly significant to the community and the five main clans will come together to showcase various traditional activities.

"Visitors will get a rare chance to see a Teochew Opera, Golden Lion dance, Wushu demonstration, drum show and Chinese calligraphy," he said.

Long, who is State tourism and environment committee chairman, said in keeping with the multiracial nature of Malaysia, visitors would also see performances of zapin, kuda kepang and others. Popular local singer Winnie Kok and Astro artistes Faye Goh and Amy Wang will entertain.

The highlight of the celebration will be the ritual throwing of Mandarin oranges into the sea by young women to show they are available for marriage.