GEORGE TOWN: The Penang government has slammed the Nattukottai Chettiar Temple Trustees for their open and hostile defiance of the state government's directive to cancel the annual Thaipusam celebration this year, including the chariot procession, to prevent the spread of Covid-19.
This came after the temple took its silver chariot bearing Lord Muruga to the streets here early this morning, to mark the commencement of the three-day state-level Thaipusam celebrations, against the backdrop of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The temple claimed it had obtained an eleventh hour approval to proceed with the chariot procession.
Deputy Chief Minister II Professor Dr P. Ramasamy, however, said there was nothing in black and white from the National Security Council (NSC) to prove the matter.
Ramasamy said he reported what had transpired during this morning's state executive council meeting and Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said he would raise the matter at this afternoon's NSC meeting.
"It was a collective decision by various parties, including the Nattukottai Chettiar Temple representatives, that Penang would not proceed with the chariot procession this Thaipusam. That decision (no chariot procession) is firm and still stands.
"Now, the temple had gone behind our backs and done otherwise. As far as we are concerned, the chariot procession is illegal and against the NSC and Penang government's decision on the matter.
"It is not that we had simply called off the chariot procession. I am sure many people were hoping for it. But we had to make a firm decision to say no as a responsible and rationale government, more so at a time when Covid-19 cases are rising.
"What the Nattukottai Chettiar Temple Trustees did disregards public safety and health," an irate Ramasamy told newsmen at his office here today.
Ramasamy also slammed Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri M. Saravanan's intervention in this, asking why he did not intervene in Kedah on the Thaipusam holiday issue.
The Kedah Menteri Besar courted controversy recently when he said the state would not grant an occasional holiday (cuti peristiwa) for Thaipusam, citing Covid-19 and the movement control order as the reason.
Meanwhile, Ramasamy said he received a call from Saravanan last night, informing him that the state could proceed with the chariot procession.
"Now, he wants to be the hero of the Indian community when in fact his party, MIC, had been rejected by the Indians.
"What he did is totally unacceptable. He has no right to interfere in Penang matters. Let me handle it," he said, adding that it was irresponsible of Saravanan to allow the chariot procession in view of the Movement Control Order (MCO) and increasing number of Covid-19 cases.
At 3.20am today, the silver chariot left Kovil Veedu located along Penang Street and made its way to the Nattukottai Chettiar Temple along Jalan Kebun Bunga, towed by two bulls and accompanied by 10 temple committee members, in compliance with the standard operating procedures (SOP).
Police personnel monitored the chariot procession, which took a shorter route, along the way.
Unlike previous years where the chariot was met by thousands of devotees along the way, the silver chariot procession this time was a subdued affair.
Ramasamy, who is also the Penang Hindu Endowments Board (PHEB) chairman, said the Nattukottai Chettiar Temple risked stern action for going ahead with the chariot procession.
He said Section 4 of the Hindu Endowment Act gave the board the right to discuss matters pertaining to Hindu temples in Penang.
"Does the temple think they have the federal backing? This is not the end. We will write to the temple to ask them why action should not be taken against them.
"The board can intervene and move in to take over the management of 'problematic' temples as it did in previous cases due to public complaints. The board will certainly meet to discuss the action to be taken against this temple," he added.
Ramasamy also questioned the NSC's role, claiming it could not be taken seriously, more so now over its about turn to allow the procession in Batu Caves.
"I can't take the NSC seriously after this. All the SOPs they announced are political with double and triple standards," he said, noting that this incident might set a precedent for other groups to defy the law and hold other religious gatherings that involved crowds.