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New Year’s Eve Parties Not Allowed Nationwide

Dec 31, 2021

Main image via The Borneo Post + The Edge

New Years Eve is a time when we say goodbye to the present year and welcome new beginnings with open arms. Malaysia normally comes alive with parties, fireworks and celebrations throughout the country, but well… not this year.

Last year, Malaysians didn’t get the chance to have a proper New Year celebration due to the ongoing pandemic. But Covid-19 is still here and with Omicron variant cases shooting up, it looks like it will be another at-home year-end celebration.

Image via FirstClasse

The Malaysian government has announced that no New Year’s celebrations are allowed and no permits have been approved by police nationwide. This is to avoid the risk of Covid-19 outbreaks.

Dozens of police teams will be deployed to monitor compliance to Covid-19 standard operating procedure (SOP) on New Year’s Eve.

Image via Shutterstock

City police chief Comm Datuk Azmi Abu Kassim said 68 teams would be deployed, and helped by the General Operations Force and Federal Reserved Unit.

“They will patrol several locations in the city to ensure everyone complies with the SOP,” he said. “So far, we have not received any reports of planned gatherings to celebrate the new year in Kuala Lumpur.”

People are advised not to have big gatherings outdoors on New Year’s Eve.

“Members of the public are not allowed to have large gatherings in public locations. Night clubs and entertainment outlets are still not allowed to operate due to the pandemic,” he added.

Image via The Borneo Post

Bukit Aman’s Department of Internal Security and Public Order director Datuk Hazani Ghazali said: “I have instructed standard operating procedures (SOP) monitoring teams throughout the country to conduct patrols and monitoring in popular spots to ensure that no people gather and carry out activities that violate the SOPs of the National Recovery Plan.”

The government also advised Malaysians not to have big celebrations for New Year due to the recent floods that hit the country.

“Many people are still in misery given the recent floods. Thus, it is unwise to even have celebrations. The state government has also cancelled its New Year’s Eve celebration,” state police chief Comm Datuk Arjunaidi Mohamed said.

“I remind the public not to get involved in any new year’s celebration activities, or gather in large numbers on the eve of the new year tomorrow at any popular spots,” he said.

Image via The Edge

Meanwhile, Dang Wangi OCPD Asst Comm Noor Dellhan Yahaya said there would be no fireworks at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (KLCC) and Pavilion KL shopping mall tonight.

He said the move was a reminder that Kuala Lumpur is still under Phase 4 of the National Recovery Plan, which has been in effect since Oct 18.

In Penang, George Town OCPD Asst Comm Soffian Santong said large gatherings and events at open spaces are prohibited.

“However, celebrations in enclosed premises where the crowd can be controlled are allowed.

“Nightclubs and entertainment outlets are not allowed to operate. Operators of such premises who had converted their licences to restaurants must ensure they conduct their business according to their restaurant licences.

“We will take action against those found conducting their business with entertainment elements in their restaurants,” he said.

ACP Soffian said it was illegal to sell, own and play with fireworks and firecrackers, and offenders would be punished.

via GIPHY

Everyone is encouraged not to have big celebrations outdoors on New Year’s Eve tonight.

You can, however, celebrate with close friends and family indoors but remember to take a self-test kit and follow SOP!

Together, let’s build a more secure and safer place against the threat of Covid 19.

Happy New Year! Stay safe everyone.

Info via The Star + Malay Mail