Retract muddled Chinese New Year SOPs, leaders tell govt

KUALA LUMPUR – The National Security Council (NSC) has come under fire for its confusing standard operating procedures for Chinese New Year next week, with several leaders calling for a retraction.

Among others, the SOPs state that only family members within the same household are allowed to celebrate together, and that reunion dinners, traditionally held on the eve of CNY, can be held only on the first day of the festivities, which this year falls on February 12.

NSC allows the celebrations to be held into February 13.

While barring visits by family and friends living in other households, its SOPs bizarrely state that there can be no more than 20 individuals in a household at any one time.

Deputy National Unity Minister Datuk Seri Ti Lian Ker in a Facebook post yesterday said “someone has made a mistake” with the SOPs.

“Someone has made a mistake here. This SOP must be quickly withdrawn and rectified!”

His boss, Minister Datuk Halimah Mohamad Sadique, however, said the ministry consulted various cultural bodies, business groups and religious organisations before the SOPs were finalised.

Ti’s sentiment was shared by DAP Youth vice-chief Muhammad Shakir Ameer, who said the SOPs should make sense.

“Having a Chinese Sarawakian wife myself, it is unfortunate that we can’t go back to Kuching to celebrate CNY with her family. Nevertheless, with or without the interstate ban, we have decided to be responsible citizens and family members by not going back this time around.

“CNY reunion meals are very significant for Chinese families. Therefore, the government shouldn’t bar them, but should allow families living within the same district, at the very least, to decide for themselves whether they should have a gathering.”

He questioned how the government plans to enforce the ban on family visits, and whether the authorities will “raid” every single Chinese household in the country.

He also asked Putrajaya how allowing night markets to operate is less dangerous to health than family gatherings.

Comedian Dr Jason Leong, meanwhile, has added the SOPs to his repertoire of jokes.

“So, during this MCO, I cannot visit my parents for CNY as we live in different houses, but it’s okay. My family and extended relatives are all meeting up to at least say ‘Hi’ and exchange angpows.

“At the nearest pasar malam.”

His post had more than 6,000 retweets at the time of writing.  

Former human resources minister M. Kula Segaran took NSC to task, demanding that the government retract the SOPs.

“The ever clumsy #PerikatanNasional gov should immediately retract the blundering #SOPs regarding #CNY. The PN gov should be sensitive to all Malaysians and all our cultures. Why a special SOP for #CNY?

“Retract now!”

Yesterday, Senior Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob announced that CNY celebrations are only allowed at home among family members in the same household, with the same applying to prayers and reunion dinners.

“The public will not be able to attend prayer ceremonies at temples. But, five committee members from each temple will be allowed to conduct prayers.”

Cultural events associated with CNY, such as lion dance and Chinese opera, are not allowed.

For Sarawak, which is not under the movement control order, Ismail Sabri said it is up to the state government to issue its own SOPs.

In the same announcement, he said night markets, barbershops and car wash centres will be allowed to operate until 10pm. – The Vibes, February 5, 2021