Thaipusam restrictions show double standards, says MP

 

The SOPs for Thaipusam are being finalised but the chariot procession has already been banned.

PETALING JAYA: National unity minister Halimah Sadique’s statement that the chariot procession for next month’s Thaipusam celebrations will not be permitted smacks of double standards, says an MP.

Batu Gajah MP V Sivakumar has called on the government to review the standard operating procedures (SOPs) for the festival to avoid double standards and perceived religious discrimination.

“Recently, the government has allowed large events involving the public and is even organising such an event itself.

“Therefore, it is inappropriate to cancel the chariot procession.”

Sivakumar cited a text message sent to the public yesterday inviting the people to come in “large numbers” for an upcoming programme organised to celebrate the 100-days of the current administration.

“Why is it that MKN (the National Security Council) and the health ministry can allow this programme? Where are the SOPs to control the transmission of the new variant of Covid-19?

“Doesn’t this prove double standards?”

He added that kavadis and the decorated carriage procession were the basis for the celebrations. If these were not permitted, Thaipusam would lose its significance, he added.

Sivakumar called for greater clarity over the SOPs to prevent confusion and allay suspicions among the public.

Bagan MP Lim Guan Eng has also asked Halimah to clarify her statement on the Thaipusam and Chingay processions, saying her “conflicting statements has caused confusion”.

Halimah should not now change the stand she made at the Dewan Rakyat, he said.

“Give the right answer in Parliament.”

The DAP secretary-general said she had to clear the air as what she said in the House was different from her statement issued the next day.

Yesterday, Halimah in a press statement, said Covid-19 SOPs for the upcoming Thaipusam festival on Jan 18 are pending approval and have not been finalised.

In Parliament a day earlier, she told Steven Choong (Ind-Tebrau) that the Thaipusam chariot procession will not be allowed due to fears over the Omicron variant. - FMT