GEORGE TOWN – Penang Deputy Chief Minister II P. Ramasamy has cast doubt on whether the PAS-led Kedah government will reinstate Thaipusam as a public holiday after the Covid-19 pandemic ends.
In a statement, he accused Kedah of using the health threat as a pretext to scrap the holiday, which this year falls on January 28.
Thaipusam was made a public holiday in Kedah in 2013 after a years-long push by Hindus.
“In Kedah, the pandemic was used mischievously to punish Hindus, something you would expect from the extremist and racist Sanusi,” said Ramasamy, referring to Menteri Besar Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor.
He noted that Sanusi, who is also Kedah PAS deputy commissioner, previously directed the demolition of two Hindu temples on the grounds that the structures were illegal.
“Strangely, one temple was more than 100 years old. It existed long before laws were even formulated in this country. Even before PAS was formed.
“It would be a wonder if the Thaipusam holiday is restored after the pandemic subsides. Not under the present extremist PAS government. Certainly not under the present unthinking and racist MB Sanusi.”
Ramasamy, who is also Prai assemblyman, said there is misinterpretation among Kedah PAS leaders on why Indian politicians are criticising the state’s move on Thaipusam.
Although Sanusi cited the cancellation of public events for the religious festival as reason for scrapping the holiday, he has come under fire for disregarding the fact that Hindus will continue to observe the holy day.
Ramasamy said the issue is about the Kedah government depriving Hindus of an important religious holiday.
“If the holiday had continued, it would have provided Hindus in the state with the opportunity to organise prayers in their homes, as temples are closed. Why was this opportunity denied to Hindus in Kedah?”
He said the outrage among the community is not over the cancellation of public events, given the virus threat, but rather, the lack of opportunity to have a public holiday to observe Thaipusam at home.
“We understand that all temples (nationwide) are closed.”
He said the misinterpretation by Kedah leaders was evident when Sanusi's political secretary, Afnan Hamimi Taib Azamudden, proved unable to differentiate between Thaipusam as a religious festival and public holiday.
“Sanusi is not criticised for cancelling events associated with Thaipusam to check and control the spread of Covid-19.
“It was Penang that took the initiative to cancel the (public) Thaipusam religious festival. Public proceedings have been cancelled in all states.”
However, he said, Kedah went a step further by cancelling it as a public holiday altogether.
“Other states have not done so. In fact, there is no necessity to do so. The Thaipusam holiday might be a non-gazetted holiday in Kedah, but it is a holiday nonetheless.
“Why go for this overkill in the name of defeating the pandemic?” said Ramasamy, adding that Thaipusam’s recognition as a public holiday has no impact on the Covid-19 threat. – The Vibes, January 22, 2021
