The Penang government said its plan to hold a cultural and heritage festival on the eighth day of the Chinese New Year – Feb 15 – will not clash with the Chew Jetty’s annual Thni Kong Seh (Jade Emperor’s birthday) celebration.

Tanjong MP Ng Wei Aik said the Penang government has no intentions to intervene in the Jetty’s event or forcibly occupy the space or compete with the Chew Jetty's committee celebrations.

“There is no conflict between these two events. They can proceed with their prayers as usual; we are just holding a cultural performance,” Ng told Malaysiakini .

“Therefore, there is no reason for the state government to cancel the event or modify it,” he added.

Asked if the state was willing to cooperate with the (Chew Jetty) Association to resolve the matter, Ng said “our doors are always open”.

“They need to take the initiative to approach the state government to discuss how to work together.,” he said.

Ng was responding to a protest held last Saturday by 30 residents in Chew Jetty who opposed the state government’s plan to hold the cultural and heritage festival, at an open space in front of the jetty.

The residents want the festival cancelled as a mark of respect as they had been organising the Thni Kong Seh celebration in front of the jetty for the past 108 years.

Meanwhile, Ng said the Chew Jetty committee appears to be misleading the residents by creating an impression that the state government was oppressing the residents.

“We never intend to replace them to organise the prayers, so don't create the impression that we are oppressing them. Do not mislead yourself and others,” Ng added.

Ng is unfazed about the lack of support from the protesters, saying “not all residents agree with them”.

Last year, some of the residents found out that the MCA and Gerakan were funding the Thni Kong prayers, and decided not to participate in the event, Ng claimed.

“Some of the residents were unhappy with this and the (previous) committee president resigned after the incident,” he added.

“So why make a big fuss when state government just want to help organise a cultural event?” he asked.

The cultural and heritage festival is organised by Ng and Pengkalan Kota assemblyperson Lau Keng Ee's service centres and co-organised by George Town World Heritage Incorporatd, Penang Global Tourism and Clan Jetty Village Development and Security Committee.

The Penang government will provide the allocation for the event and Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng will attend the festival.

According to Ng, the district office has already approved the application to use the empty space for the festival in front of the Chew Jetty, which is a state land.

Yesterday, Lim chastised Chew Jetty’s honorary adviser Chew Teng Hooi for leading the protest without making any attempt to discuss the matter with the state government.

Chew had led the protest despite the state government giving an allocation to the Chew Association last year, Lim said.