KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysians never lose their sense of humour, despite being confronted with bad news.
Instead of being morose over the standard operating procedures (SOP) for Chinese New Year announced today which only allows those in the same house to celebrate together, Malaysians took to social media to share light-hearted jabs over the ruling.
Doctor-comedian Dr Jason Leong weighed in: "So during this MCO (movement control order), I cannot visit my parents for CNY as we live in different houses but it's okay.
"My family and extended relatives are all meeting up to at least say hi and exchange angpows. At the nearest pasar malam," said Dr Leong.
The post has been shared more than 1,700 times on Facebook with hundreds of others reacting to it.
Commenting on the post, Kris Koay quipped that at least the people were allowed a CNY haircut.
"Don't need that nice clean car though, not going anywhere," said Koay referring to the move to allow carwashes, barbers and salons to resume operations.
Facebook user Vincent Lee also eagerly posted his "plans" for his pandemic-pasar malam CNY celebration.
"The itinerary for the lunar New Year meeting Aunty Mary at pasar pagi bihun stall at 10am and Uncle Mike at kopitiam beside pasar pagi.
"11am Biu Jie at shell station across kopitiam pass ang pao to her two kids. 11.05am see Dai Bak at the same station. 12pm meet Aunt Mary and her children at Public Bank ATM machine."
Lee also mischievously said that he would be skipping the appointment with an "Aunty Chen" because she has too many children.
"A very productive Chinese New Year schedule in progress."
The National Security Council (NSC) lifted the ban on pasar malam on Jan 28 following a two-week campaign by traders to be allowed to operate in areas under the MCO.
A total of 49 night markets cleared for operations in KL during the conditional MCO were given the green light to resume business under strict SOP.
However, only the sale of essentials such as food were allowed in a bid to flatten the Covid-19 curve.
Pasar malam traders had earlier cried foul over the NSC's move to bar them from trading – but approving morning markets and other such open air facilities – despite previously shutting them down during the first MCO.