JOHOR BARU: Despite a scaled down celebration held under strict standard operating procedure (SOP), the Chingay festival here is filled with gaiety.

       Five deities from the five main Johor clans – Teochew, Hokkien, Hakka, Cantonese and Hainan – were brought from the Johor Baru Ancient Temple to the Xin Gong Temple at Jalan Ulu Ayer Molek here yesterday.

       “Since the deities were brought to the Xin Gong Temple on a Sunday, many devotees took the opportunity to watch from a distance,” said Johor Baru Tiong Hua Association president Ho Sow Tong.

       “We thank the devotees for understanding and abiding by the SOP.”

       Dr Wee walks along in the procession.

       He said the deities will overnight at the Xin Gong Temple before touring the city today.

       According to him, the National Security Council allowed a maximum of 220 fully vaccinated people to take part in the four-day festival which began on Saturday.

       Among those welcoming the deities at the Xin Gong Temple here was Johor Mentri Besar adviser Datuk Tee Siew Kiong.

       Tee said the Chingay festival shows Johor’s uniqueness and that it should be maintained for years to come.

       “This is one of the beauties of Bangsa Johor and I am glad to see young people taking part in this special festival,” he said.

       Earlier, MCA president Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong and former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak were at the Ancient Temple in Jalan Trus to witness the deities starting the journey to the Xin Gong Temple.

       Today will be the highlight of the festival in which the deities are paraded on 11 decorated lorries along a 7km route.