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Kota Kinabalu: Sabah has set both Asia and Asean Records for the longest Muhibbah Kongsi Raya Yee Sang toss, measuring 1,500 metres, at the Sabah International Convention Centre (SICC).

The record recognition plaques were received by Borneo Referral Group founder and Chief Executive Officer Brandon Chin from Asean Records Executive Director Eldrik Koh.

The event was witnessed by Assistant Minister to the Chief Minister Datuk Caesar Mandela Malakun, who represented Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor.

Chin said the three-day event, held from Feb 6 to 8, was aimed at bringing communities together through shared celebrations, reflecting Sabah’s multicultural harmony.

“We want to celebrate festivals as a community and show that despite our diverse backgrounds, we are united,” he said.

He said the Muhibbah Kongsi Raya Yee Sang blends the diverse cultures through food, tradition and shared values.

Chin said the idea was mooted together with Borneo Culinary Association and Sabah and Sarawak President chef Dion Jee.

“We wanted to do something meaningful that brings cultures and communities together, and the 1,500-metre yee sang came about,” he said.

Chin said the initiative aimed to showcase Sabah’s diversity, unity and peaceful coexistence where people live together in harmony despite differences in culture, race and religion.

The other was to raise Sabah’s visibility at the Asean-level which comprises 11 countries, and setting the record helps spark interest and engagement.

“From there, opportunities in tourism, trade and business can grow,” he said.

Chin described the achievement as a starting point for greater regional collaboration.

“This is just the seed. We hope more Asean-level initiatives can be achieved by Sabah in the future,” he said.

He said about 600 participants took part in the event, including non-governmental organisations, students, volunteers, business operators and members of the public, and 35 ethnic group representatives brought in by with the Sabah Tourism Board.

More than 300 volunteers worked over three days to prepare the 169 kilogrammes of yee sang ingredients sourced locally and internationally costing RM20,000 to RM30,000.

Chin said preparations for the event took more than six months, with support from various sponsors and partners.