BY JACINTHA JOLENE
KUCHING: Many lion dance associations and groups want the authorities to allow lion dance performances for the upcoming Chinese New Year celebration.
The Sarawak Disaster Management Committee (SDMC) had recently released the standard operating procedures (SOP) for Chinese New Year 2022.
Open houses, house visits, lion dance performances and celebrations at temples or public spaces are not allowed.
Sarawak Federation of Chinese Associations president Datuk Richard Wee said the public ought to be mindful of the need to prevent and avoid the possible spread of the virus and its variants in the community.
“The concern is that while the number of participants in the lion dance troupe may not be large, but visiting and performing from house to house is the primary concern,” Wee said on Tuesday (Jan 18).
“Taking into consideration the pros and cons and also the daily statistics of the data released by the authorities, it seems that Covid 19 is under control in Sarawak.
“We hope to continue such a trend and hope that we can have a good Chinese New year without a spike after the celebration.”
Sarawak Business Federation (SBF) and Kuching Chinese General Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCGCCI) secretary-general Datuk Jonathan Chai Voon Tok said the CNY SOP set by SDMC was deemed as reasonable.
“Under the circumstances, especially when the whole world is under the Omicron threat at the moment, it is sensible to adopt a cautious approach to avoid the outbreak of the virus.”
Voon also mentioned that he understood that the restrictions imposed would dampen the CNY mood but the authorities had allowed some leeway.
“Family reunion dinner still goes on as usual, as well as celebrating the first day of CNY.
“Therefore, I think most people would accept the prohibition on lion dance performances and gatherings hosted by associations for health and safety concerns.”
Voon also expressed his thoughts that it was better to have a modest CNY celebration now “so that we can celebrate many more CNYs in the years to come.”
