PETALING JAYA: MCA president Wee Ka Siong has called for patience over Chinese New Year standard operating procedures, saying that an official announcement would be made on the matter “soon”.
The SOPs announced by senior minister of security Ismail Sabri Yaakob on Thursday received widespread backlash, especially as reunion dinner would only be allowed for family members living in the same house.
The national unity ministry has since said it will appeal to the National Security Council (MKN) to review the SOPs.
“The prime minister has taken heed of the concern and disappointment expressed by various quarters on the recent CNY SOP,” said Wee in an Instagram post today.
“The government has heard your voices. This concern can be resolved, in a safe and SOP-compliant manner.
“Let us all be patient and allow for the official announcement to be made soon.”
Tan Hoe Chieow, president of the Federation of Taoist Associations Malaysia, was previously quoted as saying in The Star that the new SOPs are likely to be announced tomorrow.
Prayers at temples and visits among family members and friends were among the activities not allowed for this year’s Chinese New Year celebrations.
Social media users were especially unhappy that while the SOPs prevented all the usual gatherings associated with the festive celebration, Ismail announced that night markets (pasar malam), barber shops, hair salons and car wash services would be allowed to operate after being closed since January at the start of the movement control order.
Among the fiercest critics of the SOPs included deputy national unity minister Ti Lian Ker, from MCA, who said “someone has screwed up totally here” and called for the SOPs to be rectified immediately.
Ismail said the backlash was “baffling” as the national unity ministry had conducted two discussions, involving 21 Chinese, Buddhist, Taoist and other relevant religious and cultural bodies, before submitting the SOPs to MKN. - FMT
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.