GEORGE TOWN – Penang police are allowing only up to 1,000 Hindus to accompany the chariot procession in conjunction with the Thaipusam celebration on January 19.
State police chief Datuk Mohd Shuhaily Mohd Zain said the decision was reached following discussions with various parties, including National Unity Minister Datuk Halimah Mohamed Sadique.
“We have made a decision as a result of (discussions during) Halimah’s visit and with Jelutong MP R.S.N. Rayer recently.
“An agreement has been made to allow the procession of two chariots with the prescribed number, which is not more than 1,000 people,” he said at a press conference at the Penang police headquarters today.
The processions, which include a 100-year-old silver chariot and a golden chariot, began five years ago. The processions are held at the beginning and end of the three-day annual Thaipusam celebrations.
Meanwhile, Shuhaily said police will liaise with festival organisers and temples throughout the Thaipusam celebrations to ensure all ceremonies proceed smoothly without violating standard operating procedures (SOPs).
On December 7, Halimah told the Dewan Rakyat that all Thaipusam parades, including the chariot processions for Thaipusam and Chingay, which is held in conjunction with Chinese New Year, would not be allowed as the country faces the new Covid-19 variant, Omicron.
However, after receiving criticisms from various quarters, the ministry informed that the SOPs for Thaipusam had yet to be finalised. – The Vibes, January 11, 2022
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