THE National Unity Ministry will raise the views and appeals of the Chinese community on family reunion dinners and prayers at temple in celebrating Chinese New Year, with the National Security Council.

The ministry, in a statement today said the standard operating procedure (SOP) for the celebration was prepared after discussions were held with 21 religious organisations, Chinese cultural associations and related parties on January 12 and 18.

Among the associations involved in the discussion on January 12 were the Malaysian Buddhist Association, the Taoist Associations of Malaysia, the Malaysian Chinese Muslim Association, the Han Culture Association and the Malaysia-China Chamber of Commerce and Industries.

During the discussion on January 18,  Cheng Ho Multi Culture Education, Malaysian Faith And Culture Interaction Kuala Lumpur and Huazhong Malaysia were among associations present.

According to the ministry, any announcement related to the views and appeals on the SOP would be made by Senior Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob.

Yesterday, Ismail Sabri in announcing the SOP for Chinese New Year, which falls on February 12 and 13 said, large dining events were limited to family members in the same household.

In addition, prayers at temples, house-to-house visits, interdistrict or interstate travel to visit family members and friends as well as lion dance, dragon dance, lantern parades, Chinese opera and stage performances are not allowed. – Bernama, February 5, 2021.