IN keeping with the times, the Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP) have turned to technology to circumvent the ban the state had placed on gathering so they could continue to have their Chinese New Year open house.

The political party, a member of the state’s four-party ruling Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) coalition, took to Zoom for their SUPP CNY virtual live “open house” that was – according to the Zoom register – attended by over 2,000 people.

Among the guests were Chief Minister Abang Johari Openg and his wife, Juma’ani Bujang, who joined from their home in Petrajaya, SUPP secretary-general and Assistant Minister for Tourism, Arts and Culture Sebastian Ting, and Chinese community leader Richard Wee.

The chief minister and wife even partook in the traditional “Yee Sang” ceremony – albeit virtually on their own.

Party president, Dr Sim Kui Hian, who discarded the auspicious red coloured shirt for a yellow tunic, said even though Sarawakians could not get together this year due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the tradition continues virtually.

He also took the opportunity in his address to appeal for volunteers to sign up for the mass immunisation programme that starts at the end of the month.

Sim said Sarawak needs to create herd immunity.

The SUPP open house is usually held at its party headquarters at Jalan Central in Kuching.

As with anything new, the virtual open house had its fair share of glitches.

Guests who went online did not mute themselves when not actively participating as is the etiquette.

So, while the chief minister or Sim were making their speeches, pet dogs could be heard barking in the background and their conversations drowning the addresses in some parts.

Sarawak has banned all kinds of gatherings. The only exceptions are funerals and burials. – February 12, 2021.