GEORGE TOWN, March 19 -- Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow has hailed Penang's celebrated multicultural harmony as its greatest strength, pointing to the modest celebration of Chinese New Year during Ramadan this year as a palpable example of the state's spirit of mutual respect.

In his Hari Raya Aidilfitri address today, Chow said the festive season was a prime opportunity to cultivate the "values of love and unity" which form the foundation of life in Penang, an island known for its "atmosphere of mutual respect for the diversity of religions, cultures and backgrounds."

"The year 2026 is especially remarkable, as the Chinese New Year celebration was held simultaneously with Ramadan al-Mubarak," Chow said.

"What I observed was that Chinese...