The Golden Ox comes in with little fanfare

 

The Kwan Imm Temple in Klang, where Rela officers were on hand to ensure the SOPs were followed. (Bernama pic)

KUALA LUMPUR: With the movement control order in place, the Year of the Golden Ox was welcomed with muted celebrations by the Chinese community today, adhering to the standard operating procedures (SOPs) drawn up.

This year’s celebration was devoid of lion or dragon dance performances, large fireworks display and open houses, but religious activities in the temple and visiting families were still allowed for those living within a 10-kilometre radius.

A check by Bernama found that despite the limitations, the Chinese community in the country remained positive and hoped that their sacrifices this time would help break the chain of transmission of Covid-19.

In Selangor, prayers were held at the Kwan Imm Temple in Klang and conducted with strict SOPs, with people seen queuing to enter the temple from as early as 7am.

Rela officers were present to ensure everyone adhered to the SOPs while the sanitation process inside the temple was conducted every half hour by the Klang Red Crescent Society.

Retired teacher, Cheah Soo Lean, 82, said that this time he did not have to wait too long to enter the temple due to the fewer number of visitors.

The Selangor government will also organise a virtual Chinese New Year celebration and it will be broadcast on the Selangor Menteri Besar’s Facebook page at 9pm tonight.

Meanwhile, the situation was the same at the Zi Yun Tang Temple in Seremban, Negeri Sembilan with fewer than 30 people inside the temple at any one time, in accordance with the SOPs set by the government.

Temple secretariat, Ah Moi Kee, 69, said aside from having no lion or dragon dance, the temple management had asked visitors to wear face masks and practice physical distancing.

A devotee met at the Simpang Kuala Buddhist Temple in Alor Setar, Kedah, Tan Chin Eng, 31, said he and two family members came to the temple at 9am according to a session set by the management after passing the selection process made earlier.

“There are several prayer sessions conducted from 6am to 2pm with each session lasting 30 minutes. After one session, the temple will carry out the sanitation process before allowing other groups to enter,” he said.

In Melaka, the Chinese community here celebrated the festival by visiting family members living within the 10km radius set by MKN.

The Melaka chief minister’s special secretary of Chinese community affairs, Yong Fun Juan, said the state government also provided assistance and “ang pow” to the less fortunate in the Chinese community to enable them to celebrate the new year in a happy atmosphere.

Johor Bahru, which is often busy with visitors from Singapore, was quiet as the border between Malaysia and Singapore remained closed.

Meanwhile, Penang chief minister Chow Kon Yeow, through a posting on his official Facebook page, called for the public to take advantage of technology to celebrate the Chinese New Year by using various apps to communicate with families living in different places.

“Although this new year is celebrated in the new normal, the community should liven up the festive atmosphere and strengthen the family bond using existing technology,” he said.

His sentiment was shared by Kelantan MCA chairman Chua Hock Kuan, who said that the technology available should be utilised to connect with family members.

“Technology will allow us to see our beloved wearing their raya shirt, wishing each other a Happy New Year and sharing videos of feasting on new year goodies to strengthen family ties,” he said.

Meanwhile, in Pahang, several businesses and food premises in Kuantan that are operated by the Chinese were found to be open even on this first day of Chinese New Year.

According to Ho Shu Joon, a coffee shop operator at Jalan Air Putih here, it was normal for him to open business as usual even during the festive season. - FMT