Happy Lovers Day!

Chinese New Year ends with a bang this year. The last day of Chinese New Year, Chap Goh Meh which means the fifteenth night, coincides with Valentine Day and both happen to be a day for lovers. In Penang, young girls reportedly still throw oranges with their contact numbers into the sea for young eligible men to pick. Feng Shui experts claim the day to be auspicious but elsewhere, Valentine Day is not so welcome. In Shah Alam, another part of Malaysia, leaflets on Hukum Valentine's Day or Valentine's Day guidelines had been distributed as part of a campaign to deter Muslim youth from taking part in the lovers' celebration lest it leads to social ills. Buddhist youths probably are not deterred from celebrating non-Buddhist festivals, Chap Goh Meh included; and before there is a call for a ban for both, here's to everyone: Happy Chap Goh Meh and Happy Valentine! May you find love and be well and happy!