Malaysia

‘Can families reunite for Chinese New Year at night markets?’

NSC prohibition of family visits makes no sense given night markets allowed to operate, says DAP Youth

Updated 5 years ago · Published on 05 Feb 2021 10:59PM

‘Can families reunite for Chinese New Year at night markets?’
Despite the interstate and inter-district travel restrictions, some families may live within the same neighbourhood with each other. – SAIRIEN NAFIS/The Vibes, February 5, 2021

by Arjun Mohanakrishnan

KUALA LUMPUR – Given the confusion surrounding the standard operating procedures (SOPs) for Chinese New Year, DAP Youth vice chief Muhammad Shakir Ameer queried if families can reunite at night markets.

During a webinar by DAP titled “SOP MKN: Why So Confusing?”, Shakir said that the Perikatan Nasional (PN) administration failed to lay out logical SOPs to combat the Covid-19 pandemic.

He said that the National Security Council (NSC) prohibited families from visiting each other during Chinese New Year, but allowed night markets to operate.

“So can families meet at the pasar malam and car wash?” Shakir said during the webinar.

He also pointed out that despite the interstate and inter-district travel restrictions, some families may live within the same neighbourhood with each other. He questioned how the authorities aimed to enforce their SOPs.

Muhammad Shakir Ameer
Muhammad Shakir Ameer

Meanwhile, Pengkalan Kota assemblyman Daniel Gooi also slammed the PN administration for issuing unnecessary SOPs for the holidays.

Pointing out that Senior Minister (Security) Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri mentioned that lantern gatherings are prohibited, he noted that they were not a part of Chinese New Year celebrations.

“The lantern gatherings happen during the mooncake festival, not Chinese New Year,” said Gooi.

The assemblyman went on to say that the government’s hiccups regarding these SOPs resulted in scathing criticisms by netizens, and that it had lost public confidence.

“I believe this is the lowest confidence the people have had in the federal government’s role in fighting the virus,” said Gooi.

The webinar today was moderated by Kampung Tunku assemblywoman Lim Yi Wei. – The Vibes, February 5, 2021

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