MELAKA: A 179-metre-long dragon lantern at the iconic Jonker Walk ushers the Lunar New Year celebration and gets the locals into the festive mood.

       Jonker Walk management committee chairman Datuk Wira Gan Tian Loo said the dragon, touted as the longest in the country, would ring in the Year of the Dragon for the state.

       "We have now a pair of dragons at Jonker Walk radiating auspicious vibes in conjunction with the Chinese New Year festive season," he said on Saturday (Jan 27).

       Gan said 150 volunteers, including schoolchildren, carried the replica from SMJK Tinggi Cina at Jalan Malim here to Jonker Walk on Saturday morning.

       Gan said like previous years, Jonker Walk would be the centrepiece for the Lunar New Year celebration in the state.

       Gan said many locals have also started decorating and lighting up Taoist temples across the state.

       "These decorations can also be promoted as crowd-pullers during the festive season," he said.

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       Gan said the Jonker Walk committee would also maintain its tradition of organising cultural shows, performances and charity works during the Lunar New Year.

       "Lunar New Year is also about sharing and making it a joyous occasion for the needy," he added.