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.
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NewsTranscript
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]