GEORGE TOWN – The state is prepared to adhere to strict health standard operating procedures (SOPs) for its Thaipusam celebrations this year amid concerns over the Omicron variant, said Penang Hindu Endowment Board chairman P. Ramasamy.
Ramasamy, who is also deputy chief minister II, is responding to former Pakatan Harapan minister P. Waytha Moorthy who issued an appeal for Hindus to “rethink Thaipusam” this year.
Ramasamy disputed Waytha Moorthy’s statement, saying Penang is aware of the new variant but precautions will be taken consistent with directives from the Health Ministry.
“Thanks for the advice provided by Wathya Moorthy. Actually, the Penang Hindu Endowment Board is in charge of the Thaipusam festival in Penang. Last year, we even defied the directive of the National Security Council to have a limited chariot procession.
“We are aware of the new variant, but precautions will be taken consistent with Health Ministry directives,” he told The Vibes.
In Penang, we are prepared to allow for chariot processions, but under strict SOPs. Kavadis, panthals (food stalls) might not be allowed but a limited number of milk offerings could be possible.”
Waytha Moorthy in his Facebook page has appealed to Hindus in the country to rethink the way they celebrate Thaipusam this year, citing concerns over the Omicron variant.
He added that the government and Health Ministry should be allowed to decide the best way to prevent a “Thaipusam cluster” in light of the recent data on the variant.
In the United States, Waytha Moorthy said, the number of Covid-19 cases shot up from a mere single case to 365,000 infections in 30 days, adding that “we can imagine its effect in our country too”.
He said an estimated one million people were expected to throng Batu Caves to celebrate Thaipusam, a venue which makes physical distancing impossible, while another one million were expected to converge in Penang, Sg Petani, and Ipoh.
Thaipusam falls on January 18 this year, but processions and prayers will start at least a day before and up to two days after.
“We have suffered enough over the past two years, so let us not further risk ourselves and others,” Waytha Moorthy said.
On January 1, Penang announced that it was allowing the Thaipusam chariot procession to go ahead on January 18.
Ramasamy had said the SOPs would be announced later and would be in accordance with the guidelines from the National Security Council.
There is a possibility that other events held in previous years like the kavadi procession will not be held for this year’s Thaipusam in compliance with the SOPs.
“The chariot procession, however, will still be held at several selected locations, and will not stop at all places as during pre-pandemic years. All decisions will be announced soon.”
Every year, thousands of Hindu devotees walk along the route taken by the chariot procession – a distance of 8km – before arriving at the Arulmigu Balathandayuthapani temple and Nattukkottai Chettiar temple in Jalan Kebun Bunga here during the festival. – The Vibes, January 5, 2022
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