The standard operating procedures (SOPs) announced yesterday for the upcoming CNY have drawn backlash with even deputy national unity minister Ti Lian Ker saying the rules had to be rectified immediately.

In a statement, the ministry said it had taken note of the community’s views on the SOPs for the CNY reunion dinner and temple prayers, adding that any changes to these guidelines will be announced by senior minister for security Ismail Sabri Yaakob.

It also said the ministry had consulted up to 21 religious and cultural organisations as well as other relevant parties on Jan 12 and Jan 18, before drawing up the SOPs.

This included the Malaysian Buddhist Association, Taoist Association of Malaysia, Christian Federation of Malaysia, Huazhong Malaysia as well as Kuala Lumpur and Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall, among others.

Many politicians and individuals have taken jabs at the government’s SOPs, which were said to be culturally tone-deaf and unnecessary.

Ismail had announced that reunion dinners and religious ceremonies will only be allowed among family members living in the same house, while prayers at temples were prohibited, except for up to five members of the temple committee.

Critics have panned the SOPs saying that a reunion dinner with only those within the same household was no different from daily dinner, suggesting cynically that reunions be held at night markets, which are now allowed to operate, with no limit on numbers.