Singapore – Chap Goh Mei used to be so busy and festive at the home of Dr Tan Cheng Bock, the chairman of the Progress Singapore Party (PSP).
Not so on the 15th of Feb, the 15th and last day of the new year celebrations. Dr Tan showed in a Facebook post how they celebrated the event at his home with just a few close friends.
Recalling how different it used to be in past years, he said that they were happy to be able to catch up with the few friends they invited over and called online.
In his post he said,
“My wife and I were happy to catch up with smaller groups of good friends at home over this period. And I am also delighted that, despite the restrictions, technology enables to us to still celebrate and connect all together!”
He also said that some 60 people joined a virtual lohei party via Zoom, and several PSP members celerbated at home in small groups that included volunteers, “for example Francis Yuen @yuenkinpheng for Chua Chu Kang volunteers, Leong Mun Wai @leong.munwai for West Coast volunteers, and Jess Chua @jesschua.sg with PSP Youth Wing volunteers.”
They all took turns reciting traditional lohei sayings, according to the local custom of tossing yusheng or raw fish salad which is said to bring good luck and wealth, phrases such as dà jí dà lì which means ‘Good luck and prosperity’, and nian nan you yu or prosperity every year
Dr Tan ended his Facebook post with a message of hope , which reiterates the political party mission statement:
