Wee: Home is where the heart is

PETALING JAYA: Keeping a “home within one’s heart” is a way to stay united despite being unable to balik kampung this Chinese New Year, said MCA president Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong (pic).

“Although we may not be able to gather together, I believe that as long as we hold our homes in our hearts, it’s a reunion.

“Irrespective of how or where we celebrate Chinese New Year, the true meaning of the Lunar New Year will not alter, ” he said in his Chinese New Year message.

Dr Wee, who is also Transport Minister, acknowledged that it is a long-held tradition among the Chinese community to return to their hometowns to be with family to usher in the new year.

“At this time last year, those celebrating Chinese New Year would have already balik kampung.

“However, this year, we have to be cautious and fully geared in our fight against Covid-19, ” he said.

Except for Sarawak, he noted that the entire country was now under the movement control order with travel restrictions in place.This Chinese New Year, he said, was the most unusual for many.

However, with the number of Covid-19 cases remaining high, Dr Wee said the health of family members and friends remains the biggest priority.

He paid tribute to the frontliners for giving their all to save lives, day and night, saying he was moved by them.

“This year, the greatest blessing we can impart to others is to practise physical distancing, ” he added.

Therefore, he said there was no option but to abide by the standard operating procedure.

Dr Wee reminded those celebrating the festivities to be disciplined and safeguard their families.

He also extended greetings for the nation’s prosperity, peace and security.

MCA Youth chief Datuk Nicole Wong Siaw Ting called on Malaysians to continue upholding unity, harmony and peace when ushering in the Year of the Ox.

“Our nation exudes pride for its multiracial and multi-religious co-existence, founded on mutual respect and understanding.

“We cannot be complacent as there have been incidents in the past which caused us to feel that the relationship between race and religion has become sensitive, even tottering on fragility, ” she said in her Chinese New Year message.

Wong also said the decline in the number of Covid-19 cases and the vaccination programme offered hope that things would return to normalcy for the nation.