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Golden chariot procession to go on in Penang for Thaipusam 2022, come what may [NSTTV]

GEORGE TOWN: Penang is adamant to proceed with the golden chariot procession for the Thaipusam celebrations on Jan 18, next year.

This is despite the federal government's announcement yesterday that there would be no chariot procession. However, the federal government had given the green light for the Thaipusam celebrations for next year.

Speaking at a press conference at his office in Komtar today, Deputy Chief Minister II Professor Dr P. Ramasamy urged National Unity Minister Datuk Halimah Mohamed Sadique to rescind on her no chariot procession directive.

He said, in the absence of the chariot procession, the religious festival has no meaning.

"Come what may, we (the Penang Hindu Endownment Board - PHEB), will proceed with the golden chariot with strict observation of the standard operating procedures (SOP).

"If Halimah persists in not allowing the chariot procession, then the PHEB will have no choice but to defy the federal directive," he insisted.

It was reported yesterday that while the government had decided to give the green light for the Thaipusam celebrations to go ahead, the silver chariot procession was still a no-go.

Halimah had told the Dewan Rakyat this in response to Steven Choong (Tebrau-Independent) who had asked whether the ministry had prepared a specific SOP for Chinese New Year temple visits and for the Chingay procession.

"For Thaipusam, we also had applications for the silver chariot processions but it was disallowed due to the emergence of the new variant," she was quoted as saying, adding that this decision could be overturned by higher decision making bodies within the National Security Council (NSC).

Halimah had also told V. Sivakumar (Batu Gajah- PH) that the ministry had already prepared the SOPs related to the festivals and had called 10 religious leaders from Selangor, Perak, Kedah, Perak, Kuala Lumpur and Johor for an engagement session with the NSC and the Health Ministry on Dec 2.

According to Ramasamy, however, the potential treat from the new Covid-19 Omicron variant is hardly the justification for the cancellation of the chariot procession in the coming Thaipusam celebrations.

"I am shocked that Halimah would make such a categorical statement in denying the chariot procession, which is the principal aspect of Thaipusam.

"Halimah, being a non-Hindu, might not be in a position to appreciate the significance of the chariot procession during Thaipusam. Without the chariot procession, Thaipusam has no significance or meaning. They are the most conspicuous aspect of Thaipusam in honoring Lord Murugan, the Tamil God.

"It is not that we are in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic like earlier this year. The vast majority of Malaysians have received their vaccinations. Presently, they are getting their booster shots.

"Most of the states are in the Phase Four of the National Recovery Plan (NRP). To a great extent, normalcy has returned to the country as witnessed by inter-state travel and having functions and gatherings. If elections could be held, what is wrong in having a chariot procession?

"It is not that the pandemic will not rear its ugly head. It is not that we should let our guard down in the face of the new Omicron variant. Vigilance is the order of the day. Under conditions of the slow down of the pandemic, chariot procession should be allowed for Thaipusam in the country. They must be allowed under conditions of strict SOPs," he added, urging Halimah to change her stand.

Ramasamy said at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic in Jauary this year, the chariot procession, which was initially cancelled by the government, was allowed for the Batu Caves and Chettiar temples in Kuala Lumpur and Penang at the eleventh hour due to the intervention of Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri M. Saravanan.

"I think there might be a political game in the announcement (yesterday).

"Maybe the MIC leaders might use this announcement to initiate an appeal for the chariot procession to be allowed.

"In this way, in anticipation of the next general election, MIC might get some credit for appealing against the government's decision and the government giving in to the appeal to enhance the standing of this miserable party in the eyes of the Indian community.

"I don't think Halimah is playing politics with Thaipusam. She has just been misinformed about the significance of the chariot procession in Thaipusam," he said.

Meanwhile, PHEB executive director Datuk M. Ramachandran, who attended the Dec 2 meeting, said there was no mention by any representatives to cancel the chariot procession.

He said everyone who attended the meeting was in favour of the chariot procession, with discussions being held to finetune the SOP.

"So, it is shocking for the minister to announce the no-go for chariot procession.

"Different states were asking for different number of people to accompany the chariot procession. In Penang's case, we asked for 20 and will stick to that. We also agreed that the chariot procession will not make any stops and no breaking of coconuts along the way, which will take the chariot just four hours to reach the final destination compared to 12 hours prior to the pandemic.

"We have even met with the police to iron out whatever issues and certainly did not expect the minister's anouncement," he added.

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