PUTRAJAYA has been mocked and slammed for being culturally unaware over its Chinese New Year standard operating procedure.

Politicians and members of the public took to social media to point it was a “joke” of a SOP. 

Senior Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob announced yesterday that house-to-house visits, interstate travel and any get-together for the two-day celebration are not allowed.

He also said that family reunion would only be allowed among members of the same household who are living together on the two days. 

However, many called out the government’s blunder by announcing the SOP specifically for Chinese New Year, which falls on February 12 and 13, when the reunion dinner is usually held on the eve. 

The date for the SOP was later corrected to February 11 and 12, allowing families to hold their traditional reunion dinner on the eve.

Former finance minister Lim Guan Eng lashed at the government on its SOP for the celebrations, saying it was being insensitive and disrespectful towards the Chinese community. 

“First is the condescending tone that the Perikatan Nasional federal government has decided to allow the celebrations. 

“Then its ignorance in believing the reunion dinner is on February 12 and 13, when it is on the eve – February 11,” the Bagan MP said in a statement.

The former Penang chief minister also said the new set of SOP was so silly that the government appeared to have banned Chinese New Year home celebrations but allowed night markets. 

“The biggest controversy is banning reunion dinners and family get-togethers. 

“Allowing reunion dinners only for family members in one house but not family members living nearby is not a reunion dinner but an ordinary dinner. 

“It is ridiculous that night markets are allowed but not family visits merely because they live in different houses within the same district,” he added. 

Guan Eng’s father and Iskandar Puteri MP Lim Kit Siang meanwhile said the Chinese New Year SOP was the best proof of the government’s failure to have a “all-of-government” and “whole-of-society” strategy and approach in the war against Covid-19 pandemic. 

The DAP stalwart said the current SOP should be withdrawn and replaced with a newer and sensitive one. 

“No one disputes there is a need for a Chinese New Year SOP in the war against the Covid-19 pandemic, but definitely not the one announced by Ismail Sabri yesterday. 

“The Chinese New Year SOP should be withdrawn and replaced by one that is sensitive to the need to regain public confidence, trust and support of all Malaysians in the war against Covid-19 pandemic,” he said. 

Even Deputy National Unity Minister Ti Lian Ker said the list of SOP must be withdrawn and revised. 

“Someone has made a mistake here. This SOP must be quickly withdrawn and rectified!” the MCA vice-president said on his Facebook page late last night.

Pasar malam get-together jokes 

After the announcement made yesterday, Bangi MP Ong Kian Ming tweeted asking the defence minister to amend the SOP and at least allow families in the same district to get together. 

“Ismail Sabri says that reunion dinner is only allowed for those who stay in the same house. Errrr… sane people call that regular dinner, not CNY reunion dinner. 

“At least allow families in the same district/area to gather for CNY reunion dinner lah (Max 10 to 15 pax),” the former deputy international trade and industry minister tweeted.

Kg Tunku rep Lim Yi Wei called the SOP a joke, asking MCA, who is part of the government, to advise PN on cultural awareness. 

“Reunion dinner seisi rumah = literally normal family dinner. 

“Their idea of ziarah = knocking on each room door since it’s seisi rumah too? 

“We also don’t really watch Chinese opera. @MCAHQ can you please advise PN to have some cultural awareness zzz?” she tweeted.

Bayan Baru MP Sim Tze Tzin also criticised the SOP, saying it was a joke for banning families within the same district from visiting each other. 

“This CNY #SOP is a joke. Family living in same district can visit each other now. During CNY it is banned. We can reunion dinner now, but not during CNY. 

“Let’s wait for the U-turn again!” the former deputy agriculture and agro-based industry minister tweeted.

Comedian Dr Jason Leong took the funny side of the announcement, saying the prohibition does not matter as he plans to meet his families and relatives at the nearest pasar malam. 

“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,” he tweeted. 

Another Twitter user @sccssccsccs joked he had asked his family to eat separately until Chinese New Year.

“I have told my family members to eat separately from today onwards until CNY. Then, we can have a reunion dinner,” the user tweeted. – February 5, 2021.