Hello: Abdul Latiff Ahmad (centre) greeting the local folk and school teachers in front of SRJK(C) Tenang in Pekan Air Panas during his surprise visit.

LABIS: Deputy Defence Minister Datuk Abdul Latiff Ahmad surprised pupils and teachers at a Chinese New Year gathering in Pekan Air Panas here on Thursday when he turned up unannounced.

He was in the area to monitor the flood situation after several nearby villages were flooded since Wednesday.

The celebration, attended by 70 Malay pupils and 16 Chinese pupils from SRJK ( C) Tenang and SK Air Panas, was organised under the Government’s student integration programme.

SRJK (C) Tenang headmistress Ong Siew Kim said the pupils took part in a Chinese calligraphy competition, cutting and pasting of Chinese New Year decorative posters and dance performances.

SK Air Panas senior assistant for student affairs Rosnah Taha said the event was a good way to learn the culture and good values of multi-ethnic Malaysians.

-The STAR-