May the Year of the Rabbit bring out the best in us

CHINESE throughout the world will celebrate the Spring Festival tomorrow. Outside China the festival is more popularly known as Chinese New Year. This year the festival is to herald in the Year of the Rabbit, the fourth sign of the Chinese zodiac. After the Year of the Tiger, known for its aggressiveness and quick-tempered nature, the Year of the Rabbit is certainly to be welcomed. As it is supposed to be shy, reserved, graceful and an intellectual those born under the sign make good diplomats and peace makers. The country needs more people with these qualities as it tries to nurture national unity through its 1Malaysia concept.

But most importantly let us all celebrate this festival and make it a happy occasion for all of us. Let us visit our Chinese friends to wish them well while enjoying the food they serve us. For the Muslims there are so many things that they can eat. Surely they can eat kam (Mandarin oranges), peanuts, pumpkin seeds, cookies and the "love letters". Some hosts go to great length to buy noodles and nasi kuning from Malay restaurants. Others even engage a Muslim caterer for their open houses to reassure their Muslim visitors that they can eat the food spread out before them. So let us make a success of this Chinese New Year festival by visiting our Chinese friends in far greater numbers than previously. The least contribution we can make to ensure that this festival is a success this year is to visit our Chinese friends, wish them Gongxi Fa Cai, drink a glass of soft drink and leave. Let us keep the spirit of muhibbah and goodwill alive. On it depends the success of all our efforts to achieve genuine national unity.

Because the festival this year falls on the eve of a weekend the roads will be congested as other people beside those rushing for the family reunion dinner will also be on the road to their kampong or holiday destinations. While the government is doing all it can to ensure that everyone is safe, we too can help prevent nasty accidents by driving carefully and showing more goodwill and consideration to the other road users.

The old adage better late than never is still a worthwhile reminder. Also it is worthwhile to remember that the death toll during the Chinese New Year period still remains in the hundreds. Last year the figure was 201, slightly lower than the figure for 2009 which was 212. Let us contribute to making this Chinese New Year a zero death period by driving carefully. May this Year of the Rabbit bring success, happiness, peace and prosperity and good health to all Malaysians. May it also bring out the best in all of us. Gongxi Fa Cai.