Penang island’s local council appears to have gone overboard in issuing a circular mandating that outlets in the popular Chulia Street area in Georgetown stop selling alcohol for three days in respect of tomorrow's Thaipusam festival, said RSN Rayer.
The Penang Hindu Endowment Board chairperson told Malaysiakini that it had merely requested for convenience stores and coffee shops selling liquor along the Jalan Waterfall and Jalan Gottlieb areas to be prevented from selling alcohol for a day.
"When we had our meetings on this with the Hindu Sangam, panthal (decorative food stall) operators, local council and police, the request was to cover the region around Jalan Waterfall and Jalan Gottlieb, which are the main routes for the kavadi and chariots.
"We only requested a ban on selling beers at 7Eleven and coffee shops along the way during that period. I'm not sure why they are banning all over the place," Rayer (above) said.
The Jelutong MP pointed out that this request is made every year for Thaipusam, noting that establishments in the area had been stocking beer for sale during Thaipusam.
"We have no choice but to make this request because if we don't, there are some who might sully the religious celebration by drinking alcohol and creating havoc," Rayer explained.
He also cautioned the public not to overreact saying that he had read misleading article headlines implying that alcohol sales were banned on the entire island for this period.
Several roads, including Jalan Gottlieb, Jalan Tunku Abdul Rahman, Jalan Utama, Jalan Magazine, Jalan Datuk Keramat and a section of Jalan Waterfall will be closed to traffic for the procession.
The golden chariot, which carries Lord Murugan's spear moves from the Sri Maha Mariammam Temple at Queen Street to the Arulmigu Sri Bala Thandayuthapani Waterfall Hilltop Temple.
Bar operators along Chulia Street were served a letter by the Penang Island City Council (MBPP), dated Jan 22, saying that the temporary ban was to allow for “orderly and peaceful” Thaipusam festivities, and that the request to ban alcohol sales was at the behest of the Penang Hindu Endowment Board.
In the letter, MBPP said all premises on Queen Street, Chulia Street, Chulia Street Ghaut, Victoria Street, Prangin Road Ghaut, Magazine Road, Dato Keramat Road, Jalan Utama, and Jalan Air Terjun were to stop selling alcoholic beverages from Jan 24 to Jan 26 and that failure to comply with the notice may result in the revocation of business licences.
‘Overzealous’ decision
Former Penang deputy chief minister P Ramasamy, who previously chaired the Penang Hindu Endowments Board, said that the council appeared to have been overzealous in its decision.
"Normally this is very straightforward. During my time, in the areas that are not involved in the Thaipusam celebrations and processions, there is no such ban.
"I can't understand why the council is going to the extent of Chulia Street," he added. - Mkini
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