On 1 March 2026, Lestarry Heights in Mentakab became more than a residential development — it turned into a shared space of stories, laughter, and connection, as families and neighbours gathered for the Lestarry Heights Lunar New Year Cultural Celebration.
Organised by MZEC Development Sdn Bhd together with the Temerloh Chinese Youth Association and the Temerloh Hakka Association Youth Wing, the event marked a first-time collaboration at the venue. The atmosphere carried a genuine sense of community: Family-focused and quietly meaningful.
At the heart of the celebration was the Chinese New Year Calligraphy Competition, which drew 165 participants aged from seven to over 70. More than a contest, it became a meeting point for generations. Grandparents sat beside grandchildren, guiding each stroke with patience, while others worked independently, united by a shared respect for the craft.
Across three categories — primary, secondary, and open — participants were evaluated on brushwork, structure, and composition. Yet for many, the real highlight wasn’t the results, but the act itself: a tradition being kept alive, one careful stroke at a time.
Elsewhere, the children’s costume competition brought a lighter energy to the day. Dressed in vibrant traditional attire, young participants — some shy, others brimming with confidence — delighted the crowd as parents looked on, capturing fleeting moments.
The Prosperity Orange Toss added a simple, communal joy. Strangers became fast friends as laughter broke out, and wishes for luck and happiness were shared with easy warmth.
Among the attendees were Woo Chee Wan, Member of the Pahang State Legislative Assembly for Mentakab, and Datuk Wong Tat Chew, President of the Federation of Chinese Associations of Pahang.
For the organisers, the event built on ongoing efforts — the Temerloh Chinese Youth Association’s second such celebration and the Temerloh Hakka Association Youth Wing’s third. For Lestarry Heights, it marked a starting point in shaping a more connected, lived-in community.
Modest in scale but rich in spirit, the celebration left a quiet impression — a reminder that community is not defined by size, but by shared moments that linger.
