COVID-19 safety standard operating procedures (SOP) for the Thaipusam celebration, including for the kavadi and chariot procession, will be announced by National Unity Minister Halimah Mohamed Sadique soon, Human Resources Minister M. Saravanan said.

“Yesterday, Halimah held a meeting with Hindu leaders and representatives of temples after the cabinet meeting and various matters were discussed,” the MIC deputy president told reporters officiating at the party’s Youth, Wanita, Putera and Puteri annual delegates’ meeting at Wisma MCA in Kuala Lumpur today.

He said he met Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakub yesterday and got a positive response regarding the Thaipusam procession from him.

He also said a meeting would be held on Tuesday with Hindu leaders and representatives of temples to discuss matters related to the celebration.

On December 7, Halimah told the Dewan Rakyat that all festive processions, including the kavadi procession for Thaipusam and Chingay parade in conjunction with the Chinese New Year, were not allowed as the country was facing the threat of the new Covid-19 variant, Omicron.

However, after criticism from various quarters, the National Unity Ministry said in a statement that Covid-19 SOP for the Thaipusam celebration have not been finalised. Thaipusam will be celebrated on January 18.

Earlier, when addressing delegates of the four MIC wings, Saravanan urged them to change their way of thinking in navigating the party in preparation for the Fourth Industrial Revolution (IR 4.0).

He said MIC could no longer be seen as a party that gives handouts but one that creates jobs for Indians.

“In the next 10 years, the world will face the IR 4.0 challenge where many jobs will be lost. Therefore, we need to be prepared to face changes and challenges,” he said.

He also urged the Indian community to change their way of thinking so that they can continue to succeed and not just blame political parties.

About 1,500 delegates attended the meeting. The party’s annual general assembly will be held tomorrow. – Bernama, December 11, 2021.