ONE wonders if Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s visit to Batu Caves this afternoon (Feb 7) ahead of Tuesday’s (Feb 11) Thaipusam celebration can be read as a peace mission to quell public anger following the damning proposed amendments to the guidelines on Muslim participation in non-Muslim festivities/funerals.
The so-called leak of the yet-to-be approved guidelines by Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) Datuk Dr Mohd Na’im Mokhtar has enraged MIC deputy president Datuk Seri M. Saravanan who warned of repercussions to Muslim/non-Muslim support to the Madani government.
The Tapah MP and former human resources minister has been spot on in his deemed harshest criticism of the Madani government in which Barisan Nasional (BN) is a key component given such insensitivity can potentially trigger religious tension that further hurts race relations in Malaysia.
“After Friday prayers, I‘ll continue to mingle and have lunch with the people at Medan Selera Anjung in Taman Melawati,” PMX has penned on his Facebook page.
“I ‘ll then proceed to Batu Caves and meet the Indian community as well as visit the surrounding areas that will be the focus of Thaipusam to ensure that the facilities there are truly comfortable and in good condition.”
Earlier, Sri Maha Mariamman Temple Devasthanam Kuala Lumpur temple chairman Tan Sri R Nadarajah has sent a WhatsApp invitation stating that Anwar will visit Batu Caves today (Feb 7) at 3pm.
PMX’s visit to the iconic Batu Caves temple was further confirmed by Deputy Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Minister Datuk Seri R. Ramanan who said the historic visit will also allow Anwar to observe preparations for the Thaipusam festival.
“The Prime Minister expressed his wish to observe the preparations ahead of Thaipusam while also spending time with the Indian community,” the Sungai Buloh MP told Bernama last night (Feb 6). “He’s looking forward to being on the ground at Batu Caves this year.”
Hopefully, PMX’s goodwill gesture will bear fruit this year as he had to skip his much-publicised appearance in Batu Caves in 2023 – some three months after having assumed his premiership – as he suddenly felt unwell at the eleventh hour.
Whatever the case is, here are some cheeky reactions courtesy of Malaysiakini subscribers who must be looking forward to PMX’s showing up at the Batu Caves temple this afternoon.
- Focus Malaysia
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