Govt to announce Thaipusam SOPs for kavadi, chariot processions

Covid-19 standard operating procedures (SOP) for Thaipusam, including for the kavadi and chariot procession, will be announced by National Unity Minister Halimah Mohamed Sadique soon, according to Human Resource Minister M Saravanan.

"Yesterday, Halimah held a meeting with Hindu religious leaders and representatives of temples after the cabinet meeting and various matters were discussed," said the MIC deputy president.

He was speaking to reporters after officiating the MIC Youth, Wanita, Putera, and Puteri wings’ annual delegates meeting at Wisma MCA in Kuala Lumpur today.

Saravanan also said he met Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob yesterday and received a positive response regarding the Thaipusam procession.

He said a meeting would be held next Tuesday with Hindu religious leaders and representatives of temples to discuss matters related to the celebration.

On Dec 7, Halimah in the Dewan Rakyat said all festive processions, including the kavadi procession for Thaipusam and chingay in conjunction with Chinese New Year, were not allowed as the country currently faces the threat of the new Covid-19 variant, Omicron.

However, after receiving criticism from various quarters, the Unity Ministry issued a statement that Covid-19 SOP for the Thaipusam celebration has not been finalised. Thaipusam will be celebrated on Jan 18.

Earlier, when addressing the delegates of the four MIC wings, Saravanan urged them to change their way of thinking in navigating the party in preparation for the Fourth Industrial Revolution (IR4.0)

He said MIC could no longer be seen as a party that gave handouts but one that created more jobs for Indians.

“In the next 10 years, the world will face the IR4.0 challenge where many jobs will be lost. Therefore, we need to be prepared to face changes and challenges,” he said.

He also urged the Indian community to change their way of thinking so they can continue to succeed and face the challenges of IR4.0 and not just blame political parties.

A total of 1,500 delegates from the four wings attended the event while the party's annual general assembly will be held tomorrow.

- Bernama