KUALA LUMPUR: The Federation of Chinese Associations Malaysia (Huazong) categorically clarifies that it was not invited to attend the dialogue sessions organised by the National Unity Ministry concerning Chinese New Year’s standard operating procedures (SOP).
Therefore, it did not send any representatives to the said dialogue sessions.
Its President, Tan Sri T.C Goh clarified this in response to the statement issued by the Ministry on Friday, in which it mentioned that Huazong was among the 21 Chinese organisations and religious bodies which were invited to attend the two dialogue sessions which were held separately on 12 and 18 January.
He thus expressed puzzle over the said statement and hoped that the Ministry could quickly clarify its statement, so as to avoid any unnecessary confusion.
“If we were invited by the relevant government departments or agencies, we certainly would have sent our representatives to provide our views and proposals on the issue,” he said, in a response issued today.
However, he welcomed and supported the Ministry’s initiative of conducting such a dialogue session with Chinese community to gather the latter’s views on the matter, and to convey them to the National Security Council (NSC) for it to draft a new and better Chinese New Year’s SOP that is more acceptable to all quarters.
He was also glad to note that the National Unity Ministry in its statement assured that, “Any consideration given to the views and pleas will be incorporated into the Chinese New Year standard operating procedures (SOP) and will be announced by Senior Defence Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob.”.
Meanwhile, Goh reiterated Huazong’s stand that the government must continue to respect and preserve the Chinese community’s long established cultural and religious traditions of having reunion dinners with family members, and to conduct religious rituals to pay homage to their ancestors and Chinese deities, at home.
He continued that, while Huazong recognized the impact of a worsening Covid-19 pandemic in the country, hence fully supported the government’s decision to continue to impose MCO and SOP during the Chinese New Year period, it nonetheless remained steadfast in defending the long-established Chinese culture and tradition of having reunion dinner and conducting religious rituals, at home.
“However, when there are some shortcomings in the SOP which caused dissatisfaction among the people, the government should take serious note of it and take immediate actions to rectify it,” he contended.
He cited for example, family members who are living in different houses but in the same area, and within the 10 KM radius permitted under the MCO, or within an acceptable parameter, should be allowed to have reunion dinner together.
He thus hoped the government could immediately clarify and rectify this matter.
He further opined that, as long as the reunion dinner is being held within the parameter of the house, and not exceeding the number of people mandated by the SOP, it should be allowed.
Besides this, he also reminded the Chinese community to always place the safety and health of their loved ones first, to remain vigilant and to fully comply with the SOP issued by the government, while celebrating the Chinese New Year celebrations under the new norm, this year.-pr/BNN
