Categories: News

Ismail Sabri “baffled” by public backlash over Chinese New Year SOP

Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob has defended the COVID-19 standard operation procedures SOPs announced for the Chinese New Year celebrations against public criticism, saying the protocols were only passed after engaging dozens of stakeholder groups.

The senior and defence minister said he is “baffled” by the public backlash that followed his announcement of the SOPs yesterday, when they had been prepared and endorsed by associations and bodies that represent the ethnic Chinese community.

Ismail said the National Security Council adopts recommendations made by the National Unity Ministry (KPN) when preparing the SOPs for religious or cultural celebrations.

Ismail noted the same procedure had been adopted for this year’s Lunar Year celebration anti-COVID-19 protocols.

“For example before we announced the SOPs for Deepavali, Thaipusam, Christmas, Gawai Day and Kaamatan, KPN had already engaged and obtained agreement from religious leaders about how to draft the SOPs,” the minister said in a statement.

“Normally, to respect the recommendations, the government rarely alters the SOP that has been decided by the KPN, religious leaders, and the relevant organisations,” he added.

KPN had engaged with 21 religious, cultural and community-based organisations that represent the Chinese before preparing the Lunar Year celebrations SOPs for this year, the ministry said in a statement issued earlier today.

The groups held two separate meetings with the KPN, first on January 12 and the second on January 18.

“So I am baffled as to why the SOPs for this year’s Chinese New Year celebrations are being heavily criticised by the public,” Ismail said.

The SOP debacle quickly became the subject of ridicule both from the public and politicians from all sides, who said the regulations have come to characterise the government’s poor response to the pandemic.

Despite enforcing Emergency rule and a new round of lockdown that started three weeks ago, the rate of daily positive cases has continued to soar.

On social media, people began creating memes to mock the SOPs alongside several elected representatives who joked that families could now shift their reunion dinners from home to the night market, and would still be deemed to have complied with COVID-19 regulations.

The NSC published a FAQ yesterday detailing the SOPs, among them, limiting the customary reunion dinner only to members of the same household.

Critics have since attempted to pile pressure to force the NSC to review the SOPs.

Ismail suggested today any changes to the protocols will hinge on the KPN.

“If there are any adjustments by the KPN after taking into account the views of the public, KPN can retable them for the NSC’s consideration,” the minister said. ― Malay Mail

Related reading

Recent Posts

Xiaomi’s first clamshell foldable smartphone redefines style in a compact yet powerful form

This post is brought to you by Xiaomi. Combining cutting-edge technology with a sleek, foldable…

8 mins ago

GXBank to rollout GX FlexiCredit this month, GX Biz Banking for MSME coming soon

During its GX 2.0 event, GXBank revealed its new digital financial products aimed at helping…

36 mins ago

GX 2.0: GXBank continues to offer unlimited cashback with some tweaks

GXBank turns one and they have revealed its latest features and initiatives for its next…

2 hours ago

MG ZS EV now available for RM99,999: The cheapest electric SUV in Malaysia

You can now get an MG ZS EV for as low as RM99,999, making it…

3 hours ago

Prime Minister’s Department: Over 1,500 cyberattacks launched at ministries’ infrastructure systems

There have been over 1,500 cases of cyberattacks launched against Malaysian ministries' infrastructure systems in…

8 hours ago

Malaysia’s largest DC charging hub is opening soon at Iskandar Puteri, Johor

DC Handal is expected to unveil what appears to be Malaysia's largest EV charging hub…

23 hours ago

This website uses cookies.