[UPDATED] Defying bans, Penang Thaipusam procession carries on

GEORGE TOWN – The silver chariot from the Kovil Veedu temple on Penang Street began its annual 7km journey around 3.30am today to mark Thaipusam celebrations despite Penang government’s firm stance on banning public processions due to the pandemic.

Deputy Chief Minister II P. Ramasamy told The Vibes that the chariot procession is deemed illegal because the state did not issue an approval for the event.

He added that he will issue a show-cause letter to the organisers for their defiance.

Ramasamy has been a strong critic of the federal government’s move to allow the Batu Caves chariot procession in the Klang Valley.

The National Security Council and Federal Territories Minister Tan Sri Annuar Musa made an about-turn to allow a public procession of the Thaipusam chariot to Batu Caves, Selangor.

Ramasamy yesterday said the state executive council will discuss the matter at a meeting today.

“But I see it as politics. We are concerned about public health in view of the pandemic. We cannot afford another cluster after this event. That is why devotees have been asked to pray at home.”

In photographs and videos made available through the temple’s official Facebook account, the chariot was scheduled to arrive at the Arulmigu Balathandayuthapani Kovil, better known as the Waterfall Hill temple or Thaneer Malai by 6.30am, due to light traffic.

The chariot procession went through a few checkpoints – from Weld Quay, the Kamdar supermarket in Burmah Road, to Island Hospital – before arriving at the Waterfall Hill temple without much of the usual fanfare.

This meant the chariot procession went on with some police presence but without the security measures that would normally be implemented by local authorities.

Police officers accompanied the chariot on motorcycles while a convoy of five cars tailed it. 

Some people who were in their cars trying to watch the procession were told by the police to disperse.

Meanwhile, former Penang Hindu Endowment Board member S. Raveentharan told The Vibes that the organisers of the procession have defied the state and must be held accountable if those involved in the event and ceremony later test positive for Covid-19.

“Thaipusam is a religious event that has devotees among the non-Hindus too. I am sad that the organisers decided to play politics at the expense of the greater good of public health.”

The organisers may have won the chariot battle, but could well have lost the war against Covid-19, he added.

The procession also contravened the standard operating procedures (SOPs) under the movement control order that Penang is currently under, and the organisers risk being arrested, he said.

“Also, the religious ritual is incomplete as the Murugan deity was not taken up the hill as is the usual practice for Thaipusam. This might irk the community, too.”

Raveentharan added that people of other faiths have been observing the health SOPs, forgoing Christmas mass and other prayers, for example.

Free Malaysia Today reported that the chariot’s owners sought intervention from the federal government to allow the procession.

“It was due to the efforts of (MIC deputy president) M. Saravanan that we got this procession approved. God bless him,” said A. Narayanan, trustee of the Nattukottai Chettiar temple.

Penang last month decided to cancel Thaipusam festivities due to the resurgence of Covid-19 infections, disrupting a 164-year-old tradition. – The Vibes, January 27, 2021