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PETALING JAYA: Chinese groups are relieved with the revised Covid-19 standard operating procedure that will allow up to 15 family members within a 10km radius to attend the traditionally important reunion dinner on the eve of the Lunar New Year .
Malaysian Han Cultural Association Chairman Datuk Goh Hin San described it as a positive way forward before the holiday celebration, saying the revised SOP showed that the government heard voices on the ground.
“We suggest that 20 people be allowed to attend the reunion dinner, as well as Chap Goh Meh.
“The government has now allowed 15 people, but it is not the number (that matters). This (announcement) is a positive way forward. It shows that the government is listening to the rakyat, ”he said.
Goh, who was present at both meetings with the Ministry of National Unity on January 12 and 18, said the Chinese community understood that this was a crucial time for everyone to help flatten the curve.
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He urged the rakyat to play their role as well, adding that the community was aware of its responsibilities to help reduce the number of Covid-19 cases.
“We hope that people do not misunderstand the Chinese community. We are not demanding or pressuring the government, ”he said.
The SOP revision comes after calls from MCA President Datuk Seri, Dr. Wee Ka Siong, and from Chinese groups after the former limited the reunion dinner to only family members living in the same house.
Prayers were also not allowed in the temples, except for five members of the temple committee.
Also welcoming the revised SOP, Malaysian Federation of Taoist Associations President Tan Hoe Chieow said he appreciated the government’s decision to allow temples to open for prayers on February 11, 12 and 19, subject to a maximum of 30 devotees at any one time.
“The requirement that periodic sanitation be carried out on the temple premises is also fair,” said Tan, who is also vice chair of the Malaysian Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Sikhism and Taoism Advisory Council.
However, he asked the government to also allow the temples to open on February 20 instead of February 19, as this was the actual day of the Jade Emperor (or Tian Gong) birthday celebration.
“I would like to draw the attention of the government that Taoists pray to the Jade Emperor or perform Bai Tian Gong from their homes on the eve of the ninth day on February 19, starting at 11 pm.
“Then they will go to the temples to pray on the ninth day, February 20. We are grateful that the government did well in allowing prayers at home on the eve.
“I hope the government can change from February 19 to 20 for the prayers in the temple,” he said.
Tan said it was inappropriate to limit only Bai Tian Gong to Hokkiens, as other members of the Chinese community also participate in the annual tradition.
Klang MCA Youth Chief Datuk BK Tan said that family members living in the same area can now meet and enjoy reunion dinner together.
“Generally, modern families are not very big and an extended family is made up of 15 people. So the decision is welcome, ”he said, adding that the revised SOP shows that the government took the views and pleas of the community into consideration.
“I hope everyone makes sure they don’t violate the CNY SOP,” he said.
Christine Lai, who lives in USJ, Subang Jaya, is relieved that she doesn’t have to spend CNY alone.
“I usually have the reunion dinner at my brother’s house, where my mother lives, in Petaling Jaya.
“I thought I would have to have a lonely Chinese New Year, but luckily, the revised SOP will allow me to be with my family,” said Lai, 59.
Suzan Kuah, 57, said it was a good move by the government to revise the SOP for the Chinese New Year.
“I am happy to be able to be with my parents to celebrate the festival because we live less than 10 kilometers from each other,” Kuah said.
Disabilities Equality Training facilitator Peter Tan, 53, said the new SOP was more realistic.
“If we wish, we can now celebrate this auspicious occasion with our parents and siblings.
“Having said that, we still need to strictly practice wearing masks, wash our hands regularly and observe physical distancing,” he said.
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