Ahok Does Not Accept Guests During The Celebration Of The Chinese New Year In The Middle Of Pandemic

JAKARTA - Basuki Tjahaja Purnama or Ahok admitted that he did not Accept guests other than relatives who live in the same house to celebrate the Chinese New Year this year because currently, Indonesia is still facing the COVID-19 pandemic.

In this year's Chinese New Year celebration, Ahok and his family only celebrate by having a feast together. Ahok's gathering agenda was also carried out by video calling.

Ahok said this in the 'Imlekan Bareng Banteng' event which was held at the PDIP DPP office and was broadcasted virtually.

"This year's Chinese New Year celebration we just take pictures, have dinner together, have lunch together, only with family members that actually live in the same house. So, we are trying not to invite guests. We just did a video call", said Ahok , Friday, February 12.

To the public, whether celebrating Chinese New Year or not, Ahok prays for them to stay healthy. He hopes that God will bless everyone.

"Celebrating The Chinese New Year in a situation of COVID-19 pandemic, we pray that everyone can stay healthy. More importantly, whatever the situation in our life is, there will be joy and peace. God be with us", said Ahok.

During the Chinese New Year with PDIP, the Chairwoman of the Indonesian Parliament Puan Maharani also said that the Chinese New Year celebration as one of the national holidays has the spirit of strengthening unity and a sense of brotherhood.

This spirit is important to be manifested in the midst of various challenges in facing the COVID-19 pandemic.

"We can only pass this hard time if we unite, put our trust in God Almighty, and keep on endeavoring. Hopefully this year's Chinese New Year will strengthen the unity and spirit of brotherhood of Indonesia", said the daughter of Megawati Soekarnoputri.

Although this year's Chinese New Year is celebrated with simplicity in the midst of the pandemic, Puan believes the meaning of this Chinese new year will not diminish.

"I congratulate the Chinese New Year to all Confucian people and people of Chinese descent. Let's fill it with hard work that is the nature of the buffalo zodiac. We will make this year, the year Indonesia answers all challenges. The year of recovery for Indonesia", she concluded.