MIRI – An event celebrating the Moon Cake Festival has become a platform for fostering interracial harmony and promoting healthy living in the city.
The festival, organised by the Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP) Riam Sub-Branch, successfully used cultural traditions to strengthen community bonds.
The event was officiated by Sarawak’s Transport Minister, Dato Sri Lee Kim Shin, who is also the Senadin assemblyman.
In his address on Sunday, he underscored the significance of preserving cultural heritage like the Moon Cake Festival to maintain social harmony.
“The younger generation should be exposed to such activities so that they understand the meaning of the festival and at the same time inherit traditional skills such as making moon cakes and getting to know nutritious dishes such as lei cha,” he remarked.
A key highlight of the event was the introduction of lei cha, a traditional Hakka dish known for its health benefits.
The dish, a type of ground tea rice served with various vegetables and toppings, was presented as a healthy dietary choice.
Dato Sri Lee noted its potential to be promoted widely, aligning with a modern focus on wellness.
The program featured hands-on activities, including a demonstration on preparing lei cha and a session on making snow skin moon cakes.
These activities attracted a diverse crowd of various races and ages, successfully creating an atmosphere of shared cultural experience and unity.
Dato Sri Lee also commended the SUPP Riam Sub-Branch and its women’s wing for their consistent efforts in organizing cultural programs annually.
He expressed his hope that more young people would participate in future events to ensure these valuable traditions are passed down to the next generation.