Hundreds of dancing lions and thousands of representatives from various community groups await Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad at the Chinese winter festival celebration at the Bukit Jalil stadium in Kuala Lumpur this Friday.

It is the second such activity organised by ethnic Chinese groups to pledge support for the premier.

The first, held in late August, saw Mahathir being served with a rare semi-fermented tea meant for ancient emperors, accompanied by chants of "Long live, Datuk Seri".

Mahathir had said then he was happy for the treatment as he "had never been given such an honour by the Chinese community".

"I do understand the meaning of such an honour and I truly appreciate it," said the premier.

The upcoming winter festival has been widely advertised in all major Chinese dailies over the past few weeks.

The event is co-ordinated by the Mines Business Group owned by Lee Kim Yew, an entrepreneur known to be close to Mahathir.

The festive celebration, where thousands are expected, is aimed at bringing all races together to promote unity in the country, read the advertisements.

Special dessert

It is learnt that Mahathir will be served with tong yuen , a special dessert made of glutinous riceballs served in syrup.

The programme for the evening also includes cultural performances by over a thousand students from four Chinese independent schools, such as brass bands, gymnastics and drum shows. The highlight is a grand traditional lion dance performance.

It is unclear whether leading umbrella Chinese organisations such as the United Chinese School Teachers and Committees Association - better known as Dong Jiao Zong, and the Federation of Malaysian Chinese Assembly Halls, will be present.

The two were missing at the August show-of-support for Mahathir.

Kitchen-god folklore

The winter festival is celebrated on the eighth day of the second last month according to the Chinese lunar calendar.

According to folklore, on this day, the kitchen-god who has monitored every household will report to the highest god in heaven, the Jade Emperor, on the deeds of each family throughout the year.

The Chinese believe that by offering tong yuen , the kitchen-god's mouth will be sticky and 'sweetened' so that he cannot say bad things about any family to the Jade Emperor.

Of Malaysia's 22 million population, about 25 percent are Chinese.

However, recent surveys reveal that the Chinese population here has declined triggering fears their rights could be compromised.

But the government has assured that this would not happen.