The Malacca Chinese Assembly Hall (MCAH), the umbrella body for most Chinese guilds and associations in the state, has rejected the state government’s funding of RM20,000 for its 29th National Chinese Cultural Festival.

Describing it as “unfortunate” and “unsupportive to Chinese culture”, its chairperson Chin Nam Yee said the rejection is necessary to protect the dignity of MCAH.

According to Sin Chew Daily, Chin told the MCAH annual general assembly yesterday that the association had requested RM200,000 from the state government to sponsor the event which costs RM1 million.

However, the Malacca chief minister only promised to give 10 percent of the requested amount.

National Chinese Cultural Festival, held in rotation throughout the country, is a one of the most important national level event for the Chinese community.

Last year, the festival was held at Kota Kinabalu and attended by the Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak.

Chin said the Prime Minister's Department has been very supportive of the event, providing RM300,000 to the organisers every year.

“The remaining cost will be raised from business community and the public. As it helps the tourism of the host state, usually the state government is very happy to sponsor,” he said.

According to Chin, Kedah funded RM250,000 in 2009, Johor funded RM300,000 in 2010 and Sabah funded RM200,000 last year. A decade ago, Malacca funded RM100,000 for the same event.

Chin said that these figures have been submitted to the Malacca chief minister’s office during a recent meeting.
The event will be held at Bukit Cina, Malacca in September.