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Chingay sparkles in Pasir Ris

SINGAPORE — Thousands of people thronged the field next to Pasir Ris MRT Station on Sunday evening (Feb 19) as the Chingay celebrations floated into the Pasir Ris heartland for the first time in six years.

Chingay @ Pasir Ris on Feb 19, 2017 Photo: Wee Teck Hian/TODAY

Chingay @ Pasir Ris on Feb 19, 2017 Photo: Wee Teck Hian/TODAY

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SINGAPORE — Thousands of people thronged the field next to Pasir Ris MRT Station on Sunday evening (Feb 19) as the Chingay celebrations floated into the Pasir Ris heartland for the first time in six years.

The Chingay @ Pasir Ris event featured, among other things, five floats symbolising a multicultural and resilient society, including Malay and Indian cultural floats.

The event, an extension of the Chingay Parade and Night Fiesta held last weekend, also had music and dance performances as well as activities for the young, such as a bouncy castle.

Speaking at the event, Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean said Chingay was a celebration of Singapore’s multiracial heritage, with people from the different races living together peacefully.

“Chingay is also a celebration of the friendships that we have with many countries from the region and around the world,” said Mr Teo, who is also Member of Parliament for Pasir Ris-Punggol Group Representation Constituency (GRC).

Among the 5,000 or so attendees yesterday was Pasir Ris resident June Yahaya, 37, who wanted to show her three daughters, between the ages of five and seven, Chingay’s significance in bringing communities together.

“Now there are a lot of social issues,” said the customer service officer. “And I feel we should start to educate our children to live in harmony from a very young age, even though you’re from a different background.”

Fellow resident Pauline Goh, 49, said: “We’re mainly here for the floats. (Their) colourfulness ... gives the feeling of the New Year celebrations.”

The Pasir Ris event is the second of eight Chingay celebrations in the heartlands. It will next move into East Coast GRC and Fengshan on Saturday.

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