Chew Jetty Kongsi (association) has decided to accept the state government’s proposal to hold a joint cultural performance with the offices of DAP elected representatives.

The performance on the eight day of the Chinese New year - Jade Emperor’s Birthday (or Thni Kong Seh) - will be now jointly organised by Chew Jetty with DAP Tanjung MP Ng Wei Aik and Pengkalan Kota assemblyperson Lau Keng Ee.

“We have agreed to do so after meetings between the state government and the committee of the Chew Jetty Kongsi,” said Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng’s political secretary Wong Hon Wai.

Wong announced this at a joint press conference with Chew Jetty Kongsi chairperson Chew Hock Ean and secretary Chew Being Hin in Komtar today.

He said the association had also explained that a demonstration held on Jan 1 by its members was done without consultation with the state government.

During the rally, the Chew Jetty residents wanted the festival cancelled as a mark of respect as they had been organising the Thni Kong Seh celebration in front of the jetty for the past 108 years.

“It should not have happened in the first place,” Wong read out statement signed by the two parties.

“The state government has accepted the explanation and acknowledge that only the chairperson and the secretary represent the Chew Jetty Kongsi."

The statement also noted that the state government will come up with the funds for the cultural performance and Chew Jetty Kongsi will invite their guests.

The association said this would help ease the financial burden, said Wong, who was accompanied by Lim at the press conference.

Ng and Lau were not at the event as they are on a working trip to China.