PM: Be mindful of Covid-19 SOP as families get together for CNY

PUTRAJAYA: Chinese New Year is a chance for families to come together but everyone must be mindful of the Covid-19 standard operating procedures (SOP), says the Prime Minister.

Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said the past two years saw the Chinese community having to celebrate the festival away from family members because of the pandemic.

“This year, they can usher in the New Year with their parents and the rest of the family. I hope this will bring families closer together.

“Please do not forget to maintain SOP at all times to ensure that we can continue to curb the spread of the infection,” he said in his Chinese New Year message on Monday (Jan 31).

The Prime Minister said in the Year of the Tiger, the government hopes to boost efforts to ensure economic stability and improve the wellbeing of the people.

He said with the reopening of almost 90% of economic sectors and social activities now being allowed, the economy is on track for recovery.

This was supported by the high vaccination rate with almost all of the Malaysian adult population having been inoculated, he added.

“With this momentum, the gross domestic product is expected to record growth of between 5.5% and 6.5% in 2022, in line with projections by the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank for Malaysia which are at 6% and 5.8% respectively,” he said.

Ismail Sabri said growth will be driven mostly by Budget 2022 worth RM332.1bil to normalise economic and social activities.

The Prime Minister thanked the Chinese community for coming together with other ethnic groups in the country in the spirit of the Malaysian Family.

“Let us continue to support the government’s economic recovery efforts so that Malaysia will remain on track to become a developed nation.

“May this year bring prosperity, happiness and good health to all Malaysians,” he said.