For the Chinese, the lunar new year is a time for family members to reunite.

 

However, for those who lost their loved ones in the MH370 incident last year, this year’s festival is a sad occasion.

 

Particularly for 20 MH370 next-of-kin from China who were blocked three times before being able to meet with Transport Minister Liow Tiong Lai.

 

They came to MCA headquarters today to attend MCA’s Chinese New Year open house event, hoping to meet Liow, who is also the MCA president. 

 

Jiang Hui, one of the relatives, told Malaysiakini that they arrived at MCA headquarters at about 10am but was blocked by a group of security guards and policemen.

 

They were stopped at the building next to MCA headquarters, he claimed.

 

The next-of-kin did not understand Malay and hence couldn’t follow the explanation by the police.

 

Two-layer human chains formed to stop

 

"Perhaps the clothes we are wearing are too obvious (and that is why they are not letting us pass)," said Jiang Hui.

 

The next-of-kin were clad in red t-shirts with the words ‘Pray for MH370, come home safe’.

 

Afterwards, an MCA member came to bring them to the MCA building, but they were stopped when they reached the entrance, added another next-of-kin who wants to be known as Kelly.

 

In a video sighted by Malaysiakini , over 30 Rela members and policemen formed two layers of human chain to stop the next-of-kin from China from entering the building. 

 

High-ranking government officials, ambassadors, and prominent Chinese leaders were at the MCA headquarters today for the party’s open house, including Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak and his deputy Muhyiddin Yassin. 

 

Heavy security was present inside and outside the building.

 

After Najib left, the family members eventually managed to enter the building, but was stopped again when they lined up for food at San Choon Hall inside, Kelly added.

 

‘Don't kick us around like a ball’

 

"They have not had their breakfast and came here to attend this event. They are all old people who just wanted to have some food," she said.

 

In the end, the group managed to get into the hall and have their lunch.

 

Asked about the purpose of meeting Liow, Jiang Hui said they wanted to complain about the way they have been treated.

 

"Perhaps he is the minister. He doesn't know how MAS and the Department of Civil Aviation (DCA) provided assistance for the next-of-kin and thought they are doing a good job.

 

"(Our going to the minister directly is) to establish an efficient communication channel. This is the first step.

 

“We are not going to let the DCA, MAS, and the foreign ministry kick us around like a ball and give us no answer," he said.