Fact check: Thaipusam has been a holiday in Kedah since 2014

 

Kedah Menteri Besar Muhammad Sanusi Mohd Nor has claimed that Thaipusam had not been a holiday in the state, except "in the last two years".

His political secretary, Afnan Hamimi Taib Azamudden, meanwhile, claimed in a Facebook post today that Thaipusam was only declared an occasional holiday (cuti peristiwa) in Kedah in 2017, and not in previous years.

An English daily, in a fact check, also gave the impression that Thaipusam was only declared an occasional holiday in Kedah from 2017, and did not mention it being a holiday in previous years.

However, Kedah has actually observed Thaipusam as an occasional holiday since 2014.

It was declared by then-menteri besar Mukhriz Mahathir and had received consent from then-sultan, the late Tuanku Abdul Halim Mu'adzam Shah.

The move was meant to fulfil a 2013 election promise by BN, which was trying to win back Kedah from PAS and Pakatan Rakyat.

Thaipusam continued to be observed as a Kedah occasional holiday in 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019.

In 2020, Thaipusam was not observed as an occasional holiday as it fell on a Saturday.

This year, the festival falls on Thursday, Jan 28.

Sanusi had said the state decided not to declare Thaipusam a holiday because of the second movement control order (MCO 2.0)

However, he did not say that Thaipusam could not be celebrated.

Prayers in temples are still allowed, but attendance would be limited to one-third of the temple's capacity.

No kavadi carrying in public or other festivities will be allowed. - Mkini