EAST DOES NOT DEAL THE TILES (Article 194)

Commentary: To avoid butterfingered situations, East should not deal the tiles. Instead, each player should take their tiles in turn in counterclockwise order. Also, they recommend that no one rack their hand until all players receive their tiles.

The only thing that moves in clockwise order is pushing out the wall.

Source:  Mah Jongg Made Easy (2024 page 10 paragraph 2); back of the NMJL card, panel 1.