CNY Malaysia

Think ang pows, firecrackers, lion dances and mahjong tiles.

Yep, 'tis the Chinese New Year season, or Lunar month. Gong Xi Fa Ci and all that. I reckon this is THE Chinese celebration of the year. CNY is always a big thing in Malaysia, socio-politics aside. This is probably the only time one would find KL practically empty. Deserted malls, clear roads and hiked up food prices – all indicators that CNY has come-a-calling.

And during this period of time, I'm always faced with the same dilemma. Do I go or do I stay? Do I head off for a holiday retreat, or do I remain in KL to enjoy the peaceful bliss. CNY always seems to herald long holiday weekends, and 2008 is no different. The downside is it is technically the super-peak holiday season, hence the congested highways and expressways, and exorbitant hotel rates. Similarly, being in KL would mean boredom as almost every entertainment outlet would be near empty, all Chinese hawker stalls closed and only a handful departmental stores operating. Hmmm…decisions, decisions.

An interesting fact I found out from the Net. Indonesia only recognised CNY as a public holiday in 2001. After years of discrimination against the sizeable Chinese community there, the Indonesian government under Gus Dur acknowledged Chinese existence allowing them to celebrate the biggest event in their calendar. Guess human decency and tolerance does exist after all.

Makes me wonder why can't Malaysians just fucking accept, accept each other and live in relative peace. Not tolerate, but accept. In this day and age where the mind's the limit, there remain inferior people, mischievous bigots and malicious hypocrites who are adamantly steadfast in their pursuit of racial and religious policies based on discrimination. At a time when we should be celebrating our unique differences, we continue to take two steps backwards by harping on creed and faith. This country does not comprise a single race, or two or three races. It's a potpourri of 14 or 15 races, living under one big umbrella that's Malaysia.

Ah well, one can always hope, right?

(Image from www.extrospection.com)