Festive Cheer for 150 Families as Yayasan PETRONAS Brings Lunar New Year Aid to Kudat and Labuan

14 February 2026

KUDAT: For 76-year-old Chong Kong Sing, Chinese New Year has always meant simple meals and precious time spent with family. This year, however, the celebration carried deeper significance after he was named among the recipients of a festive food pack under ’ Uplifting Lives Festive Programme.

“I’m very grateful for the assistance,” said Chong, from Kampung Landung Ayang. “To me, Chinese New Year is about being together as one family, dining at home. Today, we feel united as a community, even though we come from different families and backgrounds. Thank you to PETRONAS and the Sabah Social Welfare Department (JPKA).”

Chong was among 150 recipients in Kudat and Labuan who received festive food packs through the initiative, which aims to help families welcome the Lunar New Year with greater joy and meaning.

For 72-year-old Chong Vui Ken from Kampung Pangaraban, the contribution made the celebration more special. “I would like to thank JPKA and PETRONAS. This will help us celebrate Chinese New Year in a more meaningful way,” he said.

Similarly, 70-year-old Chai Pin Kong from Taman Sri Kapor said the assistance arrived just as he was preparing to mark the occasion quietly with his brother in Kudat.

“There will be no large gathering this year, just the two of us sharing a simple meal and each other’s company,” he said, adding that the food items made preparations easier and allowed them to welcome the festive season in their own modest way.

Under the programme, 100 families in Kudat and 50 in Labuan received food packs containing essential staples and traditional Chinese New Year ingredients, helping to ease household expenses during the festive period.

Distribution in Kudat was carried out in collaboration with the Sabah Social Welfare Department (JPKA), while in Labuan it was coordinated with the Labuan Community Welfare Department (JKM).

Families also received cookies prepared by entrepreneurs under Yayasan PETRONAS’ Memperkasakan Kesejahteraan Rakyat (MEKAR) programme, which focuses on income generation and capacity building for local micro-entrepreneurs in line with the foundation’s commitment to sustainable livelihoods.

General Manager of PETRONAS Sabah and Labuan Regional Office, Siti Ayu Abdul Wahab, said the initiative reflected the foundation’s commitment to uplifting communities during significant moments of the year.

“Chinese New Year is a celebration of togetherness and harmony. Through our Uplifting Lives Festive Programme, we hope to bring joy to families during the festive season and reaffirm our commitment to enhancing community well-being,” she said.

In Kudat, the food packs were presented during a ceremony on 11 February, while distribution in Labuan took place on 13 February.

The Uplifting Lives Festive Programme forms part of Yayasan PETRONAS’ broader social impact agenda, which focuses on community well-being alongside education and environmental sustainability initiatives, strengthening resilience and supporting socio-economic progress nationwide.