COMMENT | If there ever was proof or evidence to show how disconnected we are about the different cultural practices that exist in Malaysia, then the latest standard operating procedures set by the government and announced by Senior Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob to celebrate Chinese New Year under the current movement control order (MCO 2.0) is the most obvious one.

Ever since MCO 2.0 was extended beyond the Chinese New Year, everyone has been waiting for the authorities to announce how we would be able to celebrate it this year amidst the pandemic. We knew that restrictions were obviously going to be there, and rightfully so, but we were hoping for something… logical.

I come from a mixed family and we celebrate both Malay (and by default Muslim) and Chinese celebrations. Hari Raya Aidilfitri and Chinese New Year are of equal importance to us and we celebrate both with vigour. So, forgive me if I am taking this issue a little bit too close to home - because it is...