KEDAH Menteri Besar Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor has asked politicians to stop criticising state’s decision not to observe Thaipusam as a public holiday.

According to Sanusi, his critics would be better off taking it up with the federal government. The festival will be on January 28 this year.

“If MIC wants Thaipusam to be a public holiday, the party can ask the federal government to announce it as a public holiday for the whole country. Kedah has already made a decision on this matter,” he said in Alor Star today, reported Bernama.

He added that the state’s decision should not be politicised given the Covid-19 pandemic.

“With the MCO and Emergency Ordinance currently in force, any festival can be celebrated on a moderate scale and by strictly complying with the SOP.

“Do not politicise everything. This is a matter of safety and the lives of all Malaysians,” he said.

He also said that Kedah’s decision not to observe Thaipusam as a public holiday was not meant to deny the rights of Hindus, adding that worshippers can still celebrate the festival by adhering to the SOP.

“Everyone has been asked to stay at home following the implementation of the movement control order.

“All this while, Thaipusam has not been a public holiday in Kedah, except for the past two years it has been made as ‘cuti peristiwa’ (special holiday).

“The decision has nothing to do with the intention to deny the rights of anyone in this state. Even before Thaipusam was made cuti peristiwa, it had been celebrated freely and merrily in Kedah,” he said.

Yesterday, in a press conference after chairing the state executive council meeting, Sanusi said Thaipusam would not be a public holiday due to the ongoing Covid-19 crisis.

The decision has triggered criticism from several political leaders, including Human Resources Minister and MIC deputy president, M. Saravanan who described it as biased.

Earlier today, former prime minister Najib Razak said there was no need for Kedah to cancel Thaipusam as a public holiday as families can still celebrate it in their own homes under the MCO.

“For so long, many states have announced Thaipusam as a public holiday, so there is no need to change it now, families can still celebrate it in their own homes this year,” he had said.

Penang Deputy Chief Minister P. Ramasamy also slammed Sanusi over the decision.

The government has said that there will be no Thaipusam celebrations and processions at Hindu temples this year due to the increase in Covid-19 cases. – January 21, 2021.