Saturday’s Chinese New Year celebrations were simpler compared to previous years, although this did not diminish their significance.
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Saturday’s Chinese New Year celebrations were simpler compared to previous years, although this did not diminish their significance.
The modesty of the celebrations was clearly evident at several shopping centers, especially in Jakarta. They did not put up decorations or hold lively events as in previous years.
The subdued atmosphere on Chinese New Year, locally called Imlek, is understandable. Some of our relatives are in dire straits, their homes inundated by the recent floods, while others were affected by landslides. The Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) has issued several warnings about the potential for heavy rain from mid-January to mid-February.
We are also concerned about the outbreak of a respiratory illness caused by a new coronavirus. By Sunday (26/1/2020), the 2019-nCoV had claimed 56 lives in China. The virus, first detected in Wuhan, Hubei province, has infected at least 2,000 people in China and this number is likely to increase.
The virus has spread to 14 countries in Asia, Europe and the United States, as well as Australia. The virus’ spread has restricted Chinese New Year celebrations in China. Besides being concerned, we must also be vigilant because the coronavirus apparently spreads from person to person much easier than previously thought.
Chinese Indonesians observed the coming of the Year of the Rat by rituals by visiting temples to pray, give thanks and wish for a better life this year.
Imlek was declared a national holiday in 2003 by then-president Megawati Soekarnoputri, following its declaration as an optional public holiday in 2001 by her predecessor, president Abdurrahman Wahid. Chinese Indonesians observed the coming of the Year of the Rat by rituals by visiting temples to pray, give thanks and wish for a better life this year.
Imlek is also a time to strengthen the bonds of nuclear and extended families. Family gatherings can build a sense of unity around a dinner banquet that marks the coming year.
If we speak in terms of “Indonesianism”, the unity of nuclear and extended families is social capital that can be used to develop synergy and maintain unity in diversity across the nation, including building the economy together.
We often forget that synergy yields mutual growth and prosperity.
The Indonesian economy, like the economies of many other countries, is facing many challenges this year due to global conditions and problems at home. We need to work together to respond to these challenges and take advantage of economic opportunities. We often forget that synergy yields mutual growth and prosperity.
Through synergizing – working together – it is hoped that the Chinese New Year greeting “Gong Xi Fa Cai” in Mandarin, which means “may you attain greater wealth”, can be realized for all.