Long courtship finally ends in wedded bliss

Ready for their happily ever after: After four years together John Chong, 32, and Evelyn Hee, 26, finally get to say, ‘I do.’ The couple registered their marriage at the Thean Hou Temple in Kuala Lumpur and with restrictions lifted from tomorrow, they can look forward to celebrating the occasion with a ‘proper ceremony’ with family and friends. — LOW BOON TAT/The Star

KUALA LUMPUR: The relaxation of the standard operating procedure for wedding ceremonies came just in the nick of time for an accountant and his teacher bride, whose relationship has endured more than its fair share of storms.

John Chong finally tied the knot with Evelyn Hee after four years of courtship.

“Tomorrow (today) marks the fourth year of us knowing each other, so we actually wanted to tie the knot by registering our marriage.

“But we were told the date was fully booked, so we decided to register today instead,” he said when met at the Thean Hou Temple yesterday.

Chong, 32, said they welcomed the SOP relaxations for wedding ceremonies.

“Due to the pandemic, we only planned for the registration but now, we can go ahead with an actual ceremony.

“We haven’t planned anything yet, but are looking forward to it,” he said.

Chong said he met Hee, 26, online via a mobile chat application in 2017 and they hit it off.

“I knew she was the one for me when she stayed by my side when I had to undergo brain surgery in 2019.

“She never left me and took care of me throughout my recovery,” he added.

Hee said she was looking forward to spending her life with Chong.

“With the relaxations, we can now plan a proper ceremony,” she said.

Earlier yesterday, Senior Minister (Security) Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein said that Hindu and Christian marriage rites will soon be allowed under the National Recovery Plan (NRP).

He said that from tomorrow, Hindus would be able to carry out the thaali-tying wedding ritual in temples, while Christians could hold matrimonial ceremonies in churches.

“These are among the new relaxations under the NRP agreed to by the Special Committee on Covid-19 Pandemic Management.

“The National Unity Ministry will inform the Hindu and Christian religious associations of the standard operating procedure that needs to be complied with during these ceremonies,” said Hishammuddin in a statement yesterday.