THE Thaipusam celebration next year will take place in compliance with Covid-19 standard operating procedure (SOP), Human Resources Minister M. Saravanan said, as Hindus express unhappiness over procession curbs.

Speaking at the 100-day Aspirasi Keluarga Malaysia celebration, the MIC deputy president said he is set to meet Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob tomorrow to discuss the matter.

Saravanan said it would be ridiculous to place restrictions on the festival after recent events that saw large crowds in attendance, including the Malaysia Cup final played in the federal capital last week.

He pointed to today’s Aspirasi Keluarga Malaysia event with thousands of people thronging KLCC and not adhering to SOP.

“There are just too many people gathered here at KLCC Convention Centre to celebrate the government’s 100-day achievement. 

“This is celebrated on a big scale and the turnout is even bigger than expected. There is no physical distancing (observed here) as people have packed the hall and they are standing in close proximity. 

“I will have a discussion with the prime minister tomorrow,” said Saravanan.

“Don’t worry. There will definitely be a solution to this. If such an event can take place, surely Thaipusam will also take place, and this would be in accordance with the SOP set,” he said. 

On Tuesday, National Unity Minister Halimah Mohamed Sadique said that there would be no street procession during Thaipusam and Chingay next year.

However, following public backlash, the ministry said that the Covid-19 SOP for the upcoming Hindu festival is pending for approval and has not yet been finalised.

The Batu Caves Hindu temple committee has hit back at Halimah for barring Thaipusam processions from taking place.

Its chairman R. Nadarajah said that he was shocked to hear about the sudden decision that was announced as nothing had been finalised at a meeting on December 2 with temple leaders from Penang, Kedah, Perak, Selangor and Johor, together with representatives from the National Security Council (NSC), and the health and unity ministries regarding processions.

Nadarajah said during their discussions no decision was reached on the street procession, which usually comes on the eve of Thaipusam when thousands of devotees accompany the chariot bearing the idol of Lord Muruga on its journey to the Sri Subramaniar temple Batu Caves. The journey begins from the Sri Maha Mariamman temple in Jalan Bandar.

This year, in a compromise, Putrajaya allowed the chariot procession but with strict standard operating procedure due to Covid-19.

Other than temple officials, no one else was allowed to accompany the chariot on its journey.

Thaipusam is the biggest festival for Hindus after Deepavali.

Apart from Batu Caves, the festival is celebrated on a grand scale in Penang. – December 9, 2021.