The Thaipusam chariot procession in Penang early this morning did not have approval from the state government or the National Security Council, said Deputy Chief Minister II P Ramasamy.
He also claimed that the Chettiar temple was emboldened to carry out the procession due to "federal intervention" by Human Resources Minister M Saravanan.
Penang had previously called off Thaipusam festivities in light of the Covid-19 pandemic, urging devotees to pray at home instead.
However, Ramasamy said the Nattukotai Chettiar Temple filed an appeal to hold a chariot procession after a similar one was approved for the Batu Caves temple.
Ramasamy said the state government had not even discussed the temple's appeal when they sought Saravanan's intervention.
"I understand that the Chettiar temple emboldened by the intervention of Saravanan had put out their silver chariot for a limited run under the SOP.
"To date, the state government and the NSC have not given permission for the chariot procession in Penang.
"I understand that what Chettiar temple is doing now is unacceptable," he said in a statement, adding that action should be taken against them for defying directives from the state government or the NSC.
Ramasamy also chastised Saravanan for alleged interference in state matters.
When contacted, the human resources minister said he would call and explain the matter to the Penang deputy chief minister.
Malaysiakini has also contacted the NSC for comment.
Meanwhile, the temple's trustee Dr A Narayanan, when contacted, said the silver chariot was only transported to the temple according to tradition and there was no procession involved.
The chariot left Penang Road at about 3.30am made its way to the temple at the Waterfall Gardens, arriving at about 6.30am.
A few devotees were seen accompanying the chariot.
Narayanan said the temple committee meant no disrespect to the state government by transporting the chariot as per annual Thaipusam tradition.
"We followed the SOP strictly. The police were around to ensure that," Narayanan told Malaysiakini.
He said the Chettiar's appeal letter to Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow was totally ignored, so the temple committee sought the help of the federal government.
"We had no choice, we were almost begging for some assistance from the state, but we had no such luck,
"So, we contacted Saravanan and obtained the approval of the NSC to carry out our tradition," he added.
Narayanan disagreed that running the chariot without the approval of the state was " illegal" as deemed by Ramasamy.
Ramasamy had warned that there was “nothing to stop the PHEB (Penang Hindu Endowment Board) to think of ways and means to bring the temple under its fold”.
"Section 4 of the Hindu Endowments Board Ordinance allows it to take over the management and ultimately the ownership of temples and properties found to breached laws and state policies."
Ramasamy also said the PHEB will send a show-cause letter to the temple’s management committee after Thaipusam.
"He can send whatever letter he wants. We will respond to it," said Narayanan, unfazed. - Mkini
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