Media Statement by Ngeh Koo Ham in Ipoh on Wednesday, 12^th January 2011:

BN Perak State Government fixing 23rd January 2011 to celebrate Christmas defeats the spirit of celebrating the event

I note with regret that the Perak BN Government deems it fit to celebrate Christmas 2010 out of season to celebrate it only on 23rd January 2011. Christmas is celebrated worldwide on 25th December 2010.

The purpose of a celebration is to observe the significance of an event, in our instant case the birth of Christ. Apart from that, a celebration uplifts and liberates the human spirit to bring happiness, gladness and joy.

The people of Perak are starting to feel the mood of celebrating Chinese New Year which falls on 3 February 2011. Therefore, to celebrate Christmas only on 23 January 2011 when the people are in the mood of celebrating Chinese New Year will overshadow the message and significance of the Christmas event. The festivity which Christmas brings to uplift the spirit of the people will also be lost.

I hope in future the State Christmas program will be celebrated during the season of Christmas.

* Ngeh Koo Ham, DAP Deputy Secretary General & MP for Beruas