Section 32: Bahau Cultural Walk

The 37th National Chinese Culture “Hundred Miles of Cultural Fire Run” Bahau chapter, more than 2,000 people wearing the culture festival T-shirts comprising of residents and students. That morning it sparkled a rousing tide of pink colours. Everyone gathered at the Buddhist Hill, amidst the singing voices of “Chuan Deng” marching on, for the purpose of propagating the Chinese culture in solid supports.

The Bahau march was organised by the Negeri Sembilan Chinese Association with joint venture by the Bahau United Associations, and also gained lots of response from the various Chinese Associations in Jempol, NGO’s and the Chinese Schools.

This one is also the event after 19 years of the 2003 Cultural event.

In the early morning dawn, all the committee members gathered at the Buddhist temple of Taisho hill. Immediately after the ceremony of passing the fireworks by the Master of Taisho hill, all people went up to the Taisho hill by four-wheel cars.

Besides, there were people walking to the hill, preparing to stand on the “Mirror of the skies” platform, to witness the burning of the fire torch.

In the morning 7:30, Chong Kim Seong, the Chairman of the National Chinese Cultural Committee standing at the peak of Taisho hill which at 350 feet above sea-level, used the sparkle of fire to lighten up the fire torch. It was then passed on to the Bahau committee Chairman Lew Han Kui and passed on to the Superintendent of Police of Jempol District Hoo Chang Hook. Later on, accompanied by the committee members, the fire torch was brought up downhill.

Mr Teo Kok Seong, NS Exco member and also ADUN Bahau, was waiting at the down hill of Buddhist Temple Taisho, OCPD Hoo Chang Hook leading the police accompanied the fire torch to the Buddhist Hill, transferring it to Ru Qing master of the Bahau Buddhist Centre. Later on, Ru Qing master transferred the torch to YB Teo Kok Seong. He then led the 40 units team to form the March, gradually coming down the hill, heading towards Bahau town, signifying the beginning of the Bahau fore torch procession.

On the way, various Chinese School Board of Governors, representatives of Chinese Associations lined up the streets, through the system of relay to pass on the fire torch. SMK Chi Wen sent 50 students to join the throng.

It witnessed the propagations of the Chinese Culture. The procession also included the drum troop of SMK Chi Wen, Teo Chew drums, Lion dance of the Negeri Sembilan branch.

In the process, the Jempol police rendered strong support controlling the flow of the traffic and PERKER (Jempol Police Family) also sent their representatives to help the progression of the fire torch.

After completing the 4km walk, it reached its destination around 10am in the morning, which was the Aurora Square. This followed by cultural performances and closed ceremony done by YB Teo Kok Seong. The procession crowd then dispersed on its own in Taman Meranti.

A lots of coffee shops was flooded by the pink waves, most of the customers were wearing the pink shirts. Most of the hawkers closed their business early.

According to some old residents, the previous National Cultural Activities was held in 2003, included Bahau station, but the procession was not as glamorous than the present one. It was a lapse of 19 years, the present of cultural procession was grand, and it become one prominent festival after the two years period of pandemic covid.