NATIONAL Unity Minister Halimah Mohamed Sadique said Thaipusam standard operating procedures (SOP) are drawn up based on temple management recommendations, as well as health risk assessments and measures to prevent Covid-19 transmission.

The proposals and requests were presented through engagement sessions to the ministry by temple management in several states. The feedback was brought to the Covid-19 Quartet Ministers Meeting for approval in line with public safety and health measures.

“However, those not present during the engagement sessions have issued statements claiming that I had made promises regarding the SOP,” said Halimah, after checking celebration preparations at the Sri Subramaniar Swamy Temple in Batu Caves, Selangor, today.

Halimah yesterday announced the guidelines, which stipulated that paal koodam (milk offering) processions, prayer activities and chariot processions will be allowed at the festival this year, but the kavadi ceremony will not permitted.

Paal koodam is allowed from tomorrow to January 19, with the allowed number of devotees to be set by the respective temples. Prayer ceremonies will be held in sessions and chariot processions must adhere to set guidelines.

Twelve prayer sessions are set from January 16 to 17 and on January 19 from 5am to 5pm and 18 sessions are set for January 18 from 5am to 11pm, with the allowed number of people to be set by the respective temples, which will have to be sanitised after each session.

Following the announcement, several quarters have hurled accusations against the ministry claiming that it did not “listen” to requests regarding the SOP from Hindu devotees.

On the Batu Caves temple SOP, Halimah said temple management will provide permission tags to adhere to the ruling that only 6,000 devotees are allowed a day and only 500 people can attend each prayer session. – Bernama, January 13, 2022.