PETALING JAYA: Lion dance was part of the 67th National Day celebration in Putrajaya this year.

Datuk Seri Ang Lai Hee, president of lion dance association Pertubuhan Tarian Singa dan Naga Hong Teik Malaysia, told Sin Chew Daily this was the first time lion dance performance became part of the National Day Parade.

Ang said he was honoured to have been invited by the government to participate in this year’s National Day Parade.

The invitation received support from the lion dance community. A pair of lions from north, three tigers (representing Malaysia), six heads of lions from the south and three dragons joined the National Day Parade.

Lion dance master Siow Ho Phiew, who is also the association’s founder, said for many years the Malaysian Chinese community had applied to the national day parade committee to be part of the parade, but the application was never approved until this year.

“We are extremely happy to receive recognition from the government,” said Siow.

A total of 100 people were deployed to be part of the lion dance performance for the National Day Parade.

Siow, 70, who has been involved in lion dance performance for more than 40 years, was honoured to perform at the National Day Parade.

“I hope the Madani government will continue to allow more performances related to the Chinese culture,” he said.