KUALA LUMPUR: Following the postponement of the National Chinese Cultural Festival 2020 by the Negeri Sembilan Chinese Assembly Hall two days ago, the Federation of Sabah Chinese Associations (FCAS), which is another affiliate member of The Federation of Chinese Associations Malaysia (Huazong), too has postponed its annual (7th) international dragon boat race, to next year.
Huazong president Tan Sri T.C Goh explained that such a move was in response to the Government and the Ministry of Health’s directive to temporary suspend or postpone all forms of big gatherings, amidst the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.
Goh who is also the president of FCAS announced this following a meeting cum discussion with its Executive Committee, on Saturday. Prior to this, he also announced the postponement of the 37th National Chinese Cultural Festival which was supposed to be hosted by the Negeri Sembilan Chinese Assembly Hall.
“Currently, the whole world is affected by the Covid-19 pandemic and Sabah too has reported some cases of Covid-19 and the situation is worrisome. Since our dragon boat competition is an international event, it would entail participants and spectators from many countries and that would put many at risk in the current situation. Hence, we have decided to postpone the annual dragon boat race which is supposed to be held at the Likas Bay on 6 and 7 June 2020, to next year. Hopefully, by then the pandemic will be over or well under controlled.
“We hope everyone could understand our position,” he explained in a statement issued today.
He added that FCAS will also be informing all those aspiring participants who had earlier inquired about or expressed their keen interest to participate in the said competition, about the postponement.
Goh was also convinced that like the great courage, sportsmanship and team spirit demonstrated by participants of last year’s dragon boat race, who braved the bad weather and rough sea condition to finish the competition, the people of Malaysia too shall be able to pull through the current challenging situation with great courage and team spirit.
He thus called on the people to give their undivided support and cooperation to the Government in fighting and containing the Covid-19 outbreak.
He also recognized the far-reaching adverse impact of Covid-19 on the world economy, Malaysia and Sabah included, after it was declared a pandemic by the World Health Organisation (WHO).
“We know for a fact that currently many tourism-related businesses in Sabah, and the State economy as a whole, have been badly affected by Covid-19. At the same time, we are also very concerned with the recent revelation by the State Health director that there will possibly more Covid-19 cases, especially looking at the much-to-be-desired medical facilities in the state,” he said.
Meanwhile, Goh hoped that the State health authority could step up effort to enhance public awareness on the importance of maintaining good personal hygiene, and to advise the public to voluntarily undergo medical check-up should they suspect they could have been infected.- or/BNN
