Commentary by Mustafa K. Anuar

THE standard operating procedure (SOP) under the movement-control order (MCO) has in many ways regulated our way of life ever since Covid-19 virus reached our shores a year ago.

Most Malaysians strictly observe the SOP as they believe that the rules are meant to curb the pandemic and save lives. This is apart from the fear of having to pay the prohibitive fines if found flouting the SOP.

However, when the newly rolled out SOP, particularly the ones drafted as a guideline for Chinese New Year (CNY) celebrations, instead became a fertile material for jokes by cynical social media users, you’d realise that there’s something amiss with the SOP.

Such a crucial guideline cannot afford to be laughable. Nor should the drafters make themselves open to ridicule in order to gain public trust and confidence.

This is especially so when initially defending the SOP that received public flak, senior minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob insisted that the SOP were the outcome of an engagement with Chinese religious and cultural groups to seek their opinions.

It’s rather odd, though, that the SOP targeted initially February 12 and 13, leaving out the reunion dinner on February 11, which is a very important part of the celebration.

So, have the Chinese reference groups blundered big time by overlooking the vital reunion dinner?

It looks like this question should not arise at all if we were to believe the denial of the Federation of Chinese Associations Malaysia (Huazong), representing 21 religious and cultural groups, that they were not consulted for the SOP. Other Chinese groups, who attended a meeting or two, contended that their demands were not reflected in the SOP.

In a move that can only be described as a U-turn, the government has since amended the SOP to allow not more than 15 persons from within the same district to attend the reunion dinner. Restriction on prayers at temples has also been relaxed, with the necessary SOP to be adhered to.

It must have been a big relief for family members after initially being told that the reunion dinner could only be participated by members of the same household living together. For, if the original ruling was maintained, a “reunion dinner” among members of the same household would surely feel like an ordinary dinner attended by the same people who have been eating together all this while. 

In the midst of anxiety, confusion and displeasure, comparisons, however, had been made with other festivities, namely last year’s Hari Raya Aidilfitri when visitations, with adherence to SOP, were permitted on the first day – hence, insinuating double standards. 

To be sure, inter-district travel and interstate travel are prohibited under MCO2.0.

Meanwhile, jokes on the original SOP already made their rounds on social media. One said that family members shouldn’t despair as they can still have the reunion dinner at night markets instead, where restrictions have been eased recently.

Another cheekily suggested that one’s home be turned into a hair salon, which has been allowed to operate recently, so as to allow people to visit for the occasion.

While it’s expected that opposition politicians would release their salvos over this matter, it’s rather intriguing that even Deputy National Unity Minister Ti Lian Ker joined the chorus of protests and urged an immediate review of the SOP. This reflects the gravity of the matter.

The humorous responses aside, the questionable SOP indicates that, among other things, it is incumbent upon at least politicians operating in a multicultural society to generally know and be sensitive to cultures other than their own. 

It is hoped that the new lunar year would usher in happiness, prosperity – and good judgement. – February 8, 2021.