SIMANGGANG: The Chap Goh Mei celebration has the potential to be promoted as a significant tourism product in Sri Aman, thus strengthening the unity of the multi-racial community and boosting the local economy.

Deputy Minister for Education, Innovation and Talent Development Datuk Francis Harden Hollis said that the celebration is now developing into a community festival that attracts the participation of people of various walks of life, instead of just the Chinese community.

According to him, every year more than 5,000 visitors flood Simanggang Town to witness the procession of deities in conjunction with the celebration.

"Thousands of visitors are from the Iban, Malay and other races. This attendance proves that this festival has been accepted as part of the identity of the local community," he said.

He said this when officiating the Chinese New Year Reception and Launch of the Sri Aman Divisional Chap Goh Mei Festival at the Sri Aman Ciyun Temple, on Tuesday.

The Simanggang Assemblyman added that Chap Goh Mei should be seen as a complement to existing tourism products such as the Benak Festival which has long been the main attraction in the district.

According to Datuk Francis, the combination of two major events with different cultural backgrounds can highlight Sri Aman as a tourist destination rich in diverse traditions and community harmony.

“The organisation of this festival not only opens up a space for the community to celebrate culture, but also provides economic benefits to small traders, food entrepreneurs and the local tourism industry,” he said.

At the same event, he also announced an allocation of RM30,000 for the Minor Rural Project (MRP) to the Soon Heng Simanggang Association to support the organisation of Chap Goh Mei this year.

Also present were Chairman of Sri Aman District Council Anthony Abell Chendan, Chairman of the Soon Heng Simanggang Association Tay Chiew Hua, Deputy Chairman Temenggong Kueh Aik Seng, representative of the Sri Aman District Office Joshua Martin and Secretary of the Che Chuan Khor Sri Aman Moral Uplifting Organisation Tay Cho Seng. -UKASnews