HINDU temples can continue prayers but must follow all standard operating procedure to curb the spread of Covid-19, said the Malaysian Hindu Sangam (MHS).

Daily prayers will continue for now, MHS president R.S. Mohan Shan told The Malaysian Insight when asked on the matter following today’s directive to Catholic churches in Kuala Lumpur and Selangor to suspend masses.

“We won’t stop any prayers but we have already cautioned devotees to adhere to the SOP when visiting temples,” said Mohan.

Daily prayers are held from 6am to 9am and 6pm to 9pm, with SOP in place, he added.

The Archdiocese of Kuala Lumpur said today masses at all parishes within Kuala Lumpur and Selangor will be suspended effective tomorrow because of the increasing cases of Covid-19. 

The archdiocese’s chancellor, Rev Fr Michael Chua, said the suspension will be reviewed before October 20 and the parishes will be notified accordingly of any future changes. 

Mohan said MHS had also advised Hindu devotees to not hold any big festivals. 

“Hindus will be celebrating the Navarathiri festival from October 17 to 25.

“We advised them to have small gatherings during the festival and we also told them not to proceed with the chariot procession on the last day of the event.”

There are no plans to close any temples for the time being. 

“Not unless we get a directive from the government.”

Malaysia has been recording triple digits of new Covid-19 infections in recent days, reaching a record high of 432 new daily cases yesterday. 

While most are in Sabah and Kedah, numbers are also on the increase in Selangor, which recorded 34 new cases yesterday, while Kuala Lumpur recorded seven. – October 6, 2020.