Proposed Thaipusam SOPs awaiting approval – Putrajaya

The government has proposed several Thaipusam SOPs for the chariot procession and kavadi carrying, including milk offerings, for the Jan 18 celebration.

In proposals sent to temples and the Malaysia Hindu Sangam (MHS), Putrajaya said the SOPs would be forwarded to the defence and health ministries for approval.

In a statement sent to a Johor temple sighted by FMT, the ministry is proposing that the chariot procession be allowed, with fewer than 10 stops and that it should not be accompanied by more than 500 devotees.

In comparison, earlier this year, the National Security Council (MKN) allowed only 10 devotees to accompany the Thaipusam chariot procession.

Also for next month’s Thaipusam celebration, it was proposed that kavadi carrying will be allowed from Jan 16 to 19 but large kavadis cannot be accompanied by more than 10 people while medium sized and small kavadis can be accompanied by only three devotees.

The statement also mentioned that for the milk offering ritual, from Jan 14 to 19, only 50 people will be allowed at any one time. Thaipusam falls on Jan 18 next year.

The government wants temple committees to submit the chariot and kavadi routes, and the movement of devotees offering milk. They are also to submit a list of devotees expected to be involved in the celebration by Dec 26.

MHS president RS Mohan, when contacted, said he had also received the proposed SOPs but stressed that it had not been finalised by the government.

On Dec 7, national unity minister Halimah Sadique courted controversy when she informed the Dewan Rakyat that no Thaipusam procession would be allowed next year, amid fears over the new Omicron variant.

Opposition MPs and members of the public called for a review of the decision. Many said if the Melaka and Sarawak state elections could be allowed, why not Thaipusam processions.

They also noted that most Malaysians had been fully vaccinated.

The following day, Halimah said the Thaipusam SOPs, including for the chariot processions, had yet to be finalised. FMT

Proposed Thaipusam SOPs awaiting approval – Putrajaya