MCA urges NSC to review CNY SOP

PETALING JAYA: MCA has urged the National Security Council (NSC) to review and amend its SOP for the Chinese New Year festival period.

MCA secretary-general Datuk Chong Sin Woon said the SOP should take into account the traditional customs of the Chinese community.

Chong said the NSC still had time to adjust the SOP that had garnered criticism from the Chinese community since being released on Thursday (Feb 4).

"This is because there is still about a week before the annual reunion dinner next Thursday (Feb 11).

"The Malaysian Chinese are not demanding for additional favours or special treatment.

"We have already braced ourselves to forego the annual 'balik kampung' for family reunion and visits across districts and states," he said.

However, Chong said the criticism for the latest SOP came about due as it appeared too harsh.

As an example, Chong said it was unclear when visits were restricted to family members living within the same household.

"They are already living under the same roof and see each other daily for meals. So how could it be a 'ziarahi' (visit) or 'reunion'?" he questioned.

"If a widowed grandparent lives alone, yet within the 10km requirement, his/her children and grandchildren are now forbidden from dining with him/her and seeing to his/her needs.

"For families whose generations reside in the same apartment block but at separate units or floors, the SOPs now prohibit them from enjoying the family reunion meal for two days," he pointed out.

Chong said there was also an issue with limiting prayers at temples to only five temple committee members, adding that the Chinese community felt discriminated as other religions were allowed between 30 to up to 500 people depending on the SOPs of the respective state.

"Presently, the Chinese community feels targeted. Malaysians of Chinese descent are only requesting the government to be fair and reasonable.

"We are able to accept any SOP that reflects reasonableness and fairness."