KUALA LUMPUR: Since the beginning of the farming era approximately 10,000 years ago, the Chinese community has considered the Ox a valuable, productive, tough, persistent, righteous and obedient draft animal.
For the Chinese farmers, having an Ox is equivalent, if not more valuable, than possessing a piece of gold bar. The Ox which ranked 2nd among the 12 Chinese zodiac animals also represents wealth and strength in the western society.
And in today’s modern society, an ox is also considered an auspicious animal and is favoured by business operators and stock market investors especially as a “bull market” denotes a sound and robust economy.
With all these positive and invigorating characteristics of an ox in mind, Tan Sri T.C Goh, President of the Federation of Chinese Associations Malaysia (Huazong) was thus hopeful that, the ushering in of the lunar New Year of the Year of Golden Ox on 12 February, would augur well and even turn things around (for the better) for the entire world.
“We sincerely believe the Year of Golden Ox will be a promising year that is full of positive energy; it will allow us to have greater strength and courage to face whatever challenges there are ahead of us,” he said.
Expressing this in his 2021 Chinese New Year message issued today, he reckoned that such is a tangible optimism, especially citing the fact that the many nations in the world have started the vaccination program to beat the devastating Covi9-19 pandemic which has inflicted unprecedented socio-economic havocs and sufferings to the world population, for the past one year.
“Our country too will soon be implementing its vaccination program in full force. Let’s hope the arrival of the Year of Golden Ox will bring us new hope, and give us greater strength to dispel the pandemic, and to turn things around for the better,” he said.
Goh who is also President of the Federation of Chinese Associations Sabah (FCAS) also expressed concern that power struggles in the country may continue, this year.
“A vast majority of ordinary Malaysians are concerned that an intense power struggle may inevitably cause politicians to political and place personal agendas above the interests of the nation and its people.
“At the same time, we are also facing a huge challenge posed by a worsening pandemic in the country, which has undeniably devastated our public healthcare system, our national coffer, our socio-economy and inflicted tremendous suffering to the people,” he pointed out.
He thus hoped that all Malaysians, politicians included, could set aside their differences, and unite as one united force to fight the pandemic alongside the government, and to strive for political stability and expedite economic recovery.
Touching on Huazong, he acknowledged that the persisting pandemic and Movement Control Order (MCO) has compelled the Federation to forgo most of its programs and activities, this year, including its annual Chinese New Year gathering, and instead to organise them virtually via online.
“I sincerely believe that, with our wisdom and intelligence, unity and great efforts, we, the human race, will eventually beat the pandemic.
“But, we must learn our precious lesson from this devastating pandemic, especially on the importance of love, compassion, and support for each other regardless of one’s nationality, religion, colour and culture, during such a devastating period,” he said.
On behalf of Huazong and FCAS, he also wished all Malaysians a “Happy, Healthy and Prosperous Year of the Golden Ox”.-pr/BNN
