KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 6— The Sultan of Selangor Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah Alhaj and the Tengku Permaisuri of Selangor Tengku Permaisuri Norashikin graced the Chinese New Year Dinner organised by the Malaysian National News Agency (Bernama) last night.
Their Royal Highnesses arrived at a leading hotel here and were greeted by Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil and his wife Datin Azrina Puteri Mohamed Mahyuddin, Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Minister Steven Sim Chee Keong, Deputy Communications Minister Teo Nie Ching, Bernama chairman Datuk Seri Wong Chun Wai, and chief executive officer Datin Paduka Nur-ul Afida Kamaludin.
Also present were Bernama editor-in-chief Arul Rajoo Durar Raj, deputy editor-in-chief (news services) Mohd Shukri Ishak, acting deputy editor-in-chief (economic news service), Harlina Samson, as well as the agency's senior management team.
In his welcoming speech, Wong expressed his deepest gratitude for the attendance of Sultan Sharafuddin and Tengku Permaisuri Norashikin at the event, describing their presence as highly significant and as illuminating the atmosphere of the celebration.
He said the Chinese New Year not only symbolises a new beginning, family values, and prosperity, but is also an important part of Malaysia's rich cultural diversity.
"In Malaysia, our strength lies in the diversity of celebrations, whether it is Chinese New Year, Hari Raya Aidilfitri, Deepavali, Christmas, Gawai, or Kaamatan, which reminds us of the importance of mutual respect, understanding, and unity as a nation," Wong said.
These celebrations also provide an opportunity for people to appreciate each other's traditions and to strengthen the value of harmony, which is central to Malaysia.
Taking that spirit, he hopes that the Year of the Horse, celebrated during this year's Chinese New Year, will bring vitality and continued success to everyone, in line with the symbol of courage, extraordinary energy, high aspirations, and perseverance.
Last night's event also celebrated Fahmi's 45th birthday, which fell on Wednesday (February 4).
