Ismail Sabri puzzled over backlash at CNY SOPs, says Chinese religious bodies, associations consulted first

PUTRAJAYA: Chinese religious bodies and cultural associations were engaged in preparing the standard operating procedures (SOPs) for Chinese New Year, which is why Senior Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri finds it puzzling that the SOPs were heavily criticised by the public.

The Defence Minister said that if the National Unity Ministry wanted to make changes to the SOPs, it can present its views to the National Security Council (NSC) for consideration.

He said that strict SOPs had been implemented for every festivity since the pandemic, where for non-Islamic festivities, the SOPs would be what was presented by the National Unity Ministry with the approval of the NSC special meeting.

“Before presenting the proposed SOPs, the ministry must hold discussions with representatives of religious and cultural bodies and get their agreement.

"The ministry will then bring the outcome of its discussions to be discussed again with the NSC and the Health Ministry, in particular, to evaluate the health risks.

“After a decision has been reached between the ministries, the health authorities and the NSC, the National Unity Ministry will send the SOPs to the NSC special meeting for approval.

“Once it is approved, the SOPs will be announced to the public, ” he said in a statement Friday (Feb 5).

Ismail Sabri cited an example where before the SOPs for Deepavali, Thaipusam, Christmas, Gawai and Kaamatan were announced, the National Unity Ministry had discussed and obtained the agreement from the relevant religious leaders to develop the SOPs.

“Generally, to respect decisions that had been made, the government rarely changes the SOPs that have been determined by the ministry together with the relevant religious and cultural leaders, ” he said.

On the issue of Chinese New Year, Ismail Sabri said the ministry had said that two engagement sessions involving 21 religious bodies and Chinese cultural associations, Chinese Chambers of Commerce as well as groups from Sabah and Sarawak had come up with the SOPs together.

“That is why, it is rather puzzling when the Chinese New Year SOPs were presented, it received heavy criticism from the public.

“However, if there are any changes which the National Unity Ministry wants to make after hearing views from the public, it can make a presentation to the NSC again for consideration, ” he said.

On Thursday (Feb 4), Ismail Sabri announced a list of SOPs for Chinese New Year, which, among others, stated that reunion dinners are to be held only among family members in the same house and that prayers in temples were only allowed to be held with the presence of five temple committee members.

Chinese New Year falls on Feb 12.