KOTA BHARU, Feb 9 (Bernama) -- A Chinese New Year reunion dinner for a Peranakan Chinese family, here boasts halal dishes, including budu (fermented anchovy sauce) and ulam (raw edible plants) in addition to their traditional spread.
The Malaysian Chinese Muslim Association (MACMA) deputy president, Dr Johari Yap Abdullah, who reverted to Islam in 1996, said his family has been understanding of the halal food issue for Muslims.
He said they would typically prepare over ten chicken, fish and vegetable dishes for the reunion dinners.
“Ulam is dipped in budu containing lime juice, bird’s eye chilli and slices of lemongrass or red onions. Reunion dinner is a mouth-watering event for the whole family every year,” he told Bernama today.
The senior lecturer at the School of Dental Sciences in Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) Health Campus said his family also enjoys eating dishes containing black fungus, fucuk (bean curd skin) and suhun (glass noodles).
Dr Johari, who hails from Kampung Chabang Empat Tok Mek Ngah, Tumpat, said his yearly task is to slaughter chickens for his mother, Goh Sa Huay, 68, to prepare boiled chickens as the main dish.
According to him, the tradition holds great significance because it reunites family members, near and far, regardless of their religious beliefs.
“It’s not easy to gather everyone at once and during the reunion dinner like tonight, we can catch up with each other, strengthening our bonds,” he added.
--BERNAMA
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