Government made a mistake in Chinese New Year SOP, claims Ti Lian Ker
Lian Ker in a recent post on his Facebook account said the list released by the National Security Council must be withdrawn and replaced with a revised version. BERNAMA file pic
KUALA LUMPUR:The government is accused of making "mistakes" in the latest standard operating procedures (SOPs) for next week's Chinese New Year celebrations.
Deputy Minister of National Unity, Datuk Seri Ti Lian Ker in a recent post on his Facebook account said the list released by the National Security Council (MKN) must be withdrawn and replaced with a revised version.
However, the MCA vice-president did not elaborate on the mistake that he is referring to, neither gave any suggestions for revision.
He only included a note detailing the SOP, which among others prohibit families from returning home for a two-day vacation, visiting each other or gathering for dinner with the family celebrated on Chinese New Year.
Instead, the list says the government only allows families living in the same house for dinner to commemorate the occasion.
On Thursday, Senior Minister of Defence, Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob announced that the government only allowed the 'big gathering/dinner' within the family of the same household, as well as prayers conducted at home in conjunction with the Chinese New Year celebrations on February 11 and 12.
However, he said, performance and cultural activities such as lion dance, dragon, lantern and chingay parade as well as Chinese opera performances were not allowed.
The latest SOP received various reactions on social media from the people.
Meanwhile, Bangi Member of Parliament, Ong Kian Ming via Twitter explained that the meaning of a big gathering/dinner for those living in the same house by Ismail only means a normal dinner and not
a special Chinese New Year meal.
Bayan Baru Member of Parliament Sim Tze Tzin also echoed the similar opinion that the Chinese New Year SOP announced by the government did not make any sense.
Meanwhile, Kampung Tunku assemblyman Lim Yi Wei stressed that MCA should advice the Perikatan Nasional government (PN) to have cultural awareness on the issue.
On Thursday, Iskandar Puteri DAP MP Lim Kit Siang claimed that the Chinese New Year celebration SOP was the latest evidence of the government's failure to formulate approaches and strategies involving the "whole government" and "the whole community" in fighting the COVID-19 epidemic.
He also called for it to be withdrawn and replaced with a new SOP that is more sensitive to the needs to regain the trust, confidence, and support of the people.
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