Chinese New Year SOP discussed thoroughly, why criticise, asks Ismail Sabri

Updated 3 years ago · Published on 5 Feb 2021 6:20PM · 4 Comments

Senior Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob has defended the government’s standard operating procedure for Chinese New Year that was announced yesterday, saying it had been thoroughly discussed by the National Unity Ministry. – The Malaysian Insight file pic, February 5, 2021.

SENIOR Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob has defended the government’s standard operating procedure (SOP) for Chinese New Year, saying they were thoroughly discussed by the National Unity Ministry which consulted religious and cultural groups beforehand.

“The SOP is a strict one that has been implemented at every festival. For non-Muslim festivals, before they are announced to the public, they must be tabled by the ministry and brought to the National Security Council (NSC) for approval.

“And before bringing it to the NSC, the ministry has to discuss and get the agreement of representatives of religious and cultural organisations of the ethnic groups concerned.

“So it is very strange that the SOP for Chinese New Year is being so heavily criticised,” the defence minister said in a statement.

However, he said that the Unity Ministry could propose changes to the NSC.

“If there are any changes that the ministry wants to make after hearing people’s views, it can table them to the NSC for consideration.”

Yesterday, Ismail Sabri announced Covid-19 SOP for Chinese New Year, which falls on February 12 and 13. 

The SOP limits visits and the partaking in the reunion dinner to only among people of “the same household”, which drew scorn from many Malaysians for being illogical.

The SOP also wrongly assumed that the reunion dinner, traditionally held on the eve of Chinese New Year, would fall on February 12 and 13, the dates the SOP will be in effect. This was later corrected late last night to February 11 and 12.

The government also received brickbats for allowing car wash businesses, barbers and salons and night markets to operate, while curbing Chinese New Year celebrations with unreasonable measures. 

Some also noted how mosques were recently allowed to resume congregational prayers under SOP conditions, and how other religious festivals were allowed a maximum of 20 visitors in a home, but Chinese New Year visits to homes were not allowed.

Ismail Sabri today said the National Unity Ministry had held two sessions to discuss the Chinese New Year SOP with 21 religious, cultural and Chinese associations, and also with relevant parties in Sabah and Sarawak.

The other SOP announced yesterday also prohibits lion dance performances and limits prayers at temples to only five temple committee members on the premises at a time. 

The National Unity Ministry earlier today said it would seek a review of the SOP with the NSC, while MCA Youth also urged a revision. – February 5, 2021.

Sign up or sign in here to comment.

Comments

  • ....because it makes very little sense. The pasar malam point makes an absolute mockery of the MCO. Perhaps you need to look at the people you discussed with! Do they know enough or even care?

    Posted 3 years ago by Edwin N · Reply

  • national unity ministry tidur. blind leading the blind. whats new?

    Posted 3 years ago by . . · Reply

  • Criticise becoz it it not thought out properly. Mosque ok. Pasar malam ok. Car wash ok ???

    Posted 3 years ago by Kenneth Tan · Reply

  • Its heavily criticised cos it is stupidly drafted without any thought. U could have just followed Boris Johnsons lead by saying CNY celebrations this year will be markedly different and then say visitations, crossing districts and dine-in are not allowed. People already know and acknowledge the seriousness of this pandemic and the need to stem it. Instead u choose to word ure statement prohibiting reunion dinners which happen on the eve. Considering the racist attacks and policies of ure partner PAS in Kedah who continuously attacks Hindus and took Thaipusam off as a holiday, you should have been more sensitive. In this you failed and came across as incompetent and seeing everything through a racial lense. When a mosque in NS allowed hundreds of worshippers to attend prayers and u keep quiet it does create doubt as to you ability to be impartial and an objective handler of policies.

    Posted 3 years ago by Michael Raj · Reply