KUALA LUMPUR – The Year of the Golden Ox is being celebrated moderately by the Chinese community today, in accordance with the standard operating procedures (SOPs) set following the implementation of the movement control order (MCO).
Although this year’s celebration is devoid of lion or dragon dance performances, large fireworks displays and open houses, religious activities in temples and house visits (for family members) are still allowed for those living within a 10km radius.
A check by Bernama found that despite the limitations, the Chinese community in the country remains positive and hopes its sacrifices this time will help break the chain of transmission of the Covid-19 pandemic.
In Selangor, prayers were held at the Kwan Imm Temple in Klang amid strict SOPs, and people were seen queuing to take turns as early as 7am.
The visitors’ movement was monitored by members of the People’s Volunteer Corp (Rela), and sanitation was conducted every half-hour by the Klang Red Crescent Society.
Retired teacher Cheah Soo Lean, 82, said that this time he did not have to wait too long to enter the temple due to fewer visitors compared with previous years.
The Selangor government will also organise a virtual Chinese New Year celebration and it will be broadcast on the Selangor Menteri Besar’s Facebook page at 9pm.
Meanwhile, a similar situation could also be seen at the Zi Yun Tang Temple, Seremban, Negri Sembilan as the number of people inside the temple were kept below 30 at all times, in accordance with the SOPs set by the government.
Temple secretariat Ah Moi Kee, 69, said apart from no dragon and lion dance performances, the temple management also asked visitors to wear face masks and practise physical distancing.
Tan Chin Eng, 31, a devotee met at the Simpang Kuala Buddhist Temple in Kedah, said he and two family members came to the temple at 9am in accordance with the management’s instructions, after passing an earlier selection process.
“There are several prayer sessions conducted from 6am to 2pm, where each session takes 30 minutes. After one session, the temple will carry out sanitisation before allowing other groups to enter to pray,” he said.
In Melaka, the Chinese community here celebrated the festival by visiting family members living within 10km radius.
Melaka Chief Minister’s special secretary of Chinese community affairs Yong Fun Juan said the state government has also provided assistance and angpow to the less fortunate in the Chinese community to enable them to celebrate the new year in a happy atmosphere.
In Johor Baru, which is often busy with visitors from Singapore, it is now quiet as the border between Malaysia and Singapore is still closed.
Meanwhile, Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow through a posting on his official Facebook page, called on the public to take advantage of technology to celebrate the Chinese New Year, using available apps to communicate with families living in different places.
“Although this new year is celebrated in a new normal, the community should liven up the festive atmosphere and strengthen family bonds using existing technology,” he said.
His sentiment was shared by Kelantan MCA chairman Chua Hock Kuan, who said technology available should be utilised to connect with family members.
“Technology will allow us to see our beloved faces wearing (festive clothing), wishing each other a happy new year and sharing videos of them feasting to strengthen family ties,” he said.
In Pahang, a check found that there were business and food premises around Kuantan run by the Chinese open even on Chinese New Year.
According to Ho Shu Joon, kopitiam operator at Jalan Air Putih here, it is normal for him to open for business as usual even during the festive season. – Bernama, February 12, 2021
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