Malaysian-Chinese see red over Lunar New Year reunion dinner policy flip-flop
- Although the government loosened restrictions related to reunion dinners, some Malaysian-Chinese were less than thrilled about any rules at all
- Many Malaysians criticised the government for its inconsistent approach on Covid-19 rules, with different regulations applied for different festivities
The government on Sunday loosened its policy regarding the so-called reunion dinners, which are held on Lunar New Year’s eve, saying that as many as 15 people, all of whom must live within 10km of the dinner venue, could attend any single gathering.
The government also said Buddhist temples could open on Lunar New Year’s eve and day – February 11 and 12 – for prayers, as well as on February 19, which is considered a special day for Hokkien Chinese, with a cap of 30 individuals in any one temple at any given time. The original rule was that temple openings during the holiday would be limited to five committee members for a single temple.
The original measures, which were passed earlier this month, had come under heavy criticism from politicians and cultural groups, who pointed out that the restrictions on the dinners and temple gatherings contrasted sharply with the government’s decision to allow “pasar malams”, or night markets, to continue to operate freely.
Malaysian-Chinese had joked that they could hold their reunion dinners at the night markets instead of holding them as restricted affairs at their homes, but would be taking a risk either way.
Members of the Malaysian Chinese Association, a political party aligned with the government, were also incensed by the original regulation.
