KOTA SAMARAHAN: Sarawakians are advised to celebrate the coming Lunar New Year in moderation and in full compliance with the relevant standard operating procedures (SOPs).
“The Chinese New Year celebration is coming and I want everyone to know that we are at the end of the pandemic and heading towards endemic.
“So I want everybody to ‘tahan’ (bear) a little bit in order to have a safe new year. A safe new year is a happy new year,” said Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Seri Dr Sim Kui Hian.
He said this when met by reporters after officiating the groundbreaking ceremony of SJKC Kai Nang at Jalan Midway, here on Thursday (Jan 20).
Dr Sim said the state was progressively opening up and returning to normal, adding, however, that its implementation might take a bit more time to ensure the safety of the people.
“We are trying to go back to normal but slowly. It is faster to close everything, but opening up is slow. We see how it is as we want to make sure everyone is safe.
“If unsafe, then we tutup (close) a little bit, then open a little bit.”
The Public Health, Housing and Local Government Minister said the State Disaster Management Committee (SDMC) would also convene soon to deliberate on the appeal of the Sarawak Dragon-Lion Dance and Wushu Association to review the banning of lion dance performances during Chinese New Year.
“SDMC chairman Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas has received the appeal letter and SDMC will sit down and look into it, including the updated federal SOP,” he said.
However, he remained tight-lipped on the details of the meeting including its date and time.
“The time (and other details) all depends on the chairman (Uggah),” he added.
