DEVOTEES are not allowed to be by the streets to pay homage when the Lord Muruga chariot departs from Tun H.S. Lee to Batu Caves, Ismail Sabri Yaakob has announced.

The senior minister instead advised devotees to stay home and perform prayers on Thaipusam.

“The National Security Council has discussed the matter and we have decided to not allow devotees to follow or gather when the Lord Muruga chariot leaves from Tun H.S. Lee to Batu Caves.

“The entire journey will start from 3am and police will monitor the situation. Only those involved with the chariot are allowed to move from Tun H.S. Lee to Batu Caves.

“We would like to encourage Hindus to perform prayers at home in effort to curb the spread of Covid-19,” he said at his press conference today.

Meanwhile, Inspector-General of Police Abdul Hamid Bador said in a statement only 10 committee members from the temple are allowed to follow the chariot.

He added that the chariot is not allowed to stop at any location during the ceremony and no business is allowed to operate by the roadside.

“The ceremony will begin from 3am to 6am tomorrow and the chariot will return from Batu Caves to Tun H.S. Lee on January 29.

“Police will monitor the ceremony and the organiser will have to follow strict standard operating procedure,” Hamid said.

Last Sunday, Federal Territories Minister Annuar Musa said the chariot bearing the idol of Lord Muruga can travel to Batu Caves on condition it does not make any stops along the way.

He said there would be no procession to follow the chariot, but for 10 devotees to follow the chariot, and music is not allowed.

The movement of the chariot will be limited to four hours, and there will be no music or religious songs accompanying the chariot. – January 26, 2021.