Cancelling Thaipusam holiday because it’s an “event holiday”?
Kedah PAS MB’s decision won’t bode well for inter-religious understanding & respect

The decision by Kedah Menteri Besar Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor to cancel the public holiday for Thaipusam, a sacred festival for Hindus, on grounds that it is a “event holiday (cuti peristiwa)” and not a “gazetted holiday” (The Star, 22 Jan 2021) will only polarise inter-ethnic and inter-religious ties. It is a bureaucratic and unreasonable reason which certainly will not help towards bridging inter-reilgious understanding and dialogue.

This decision is an administrative one taken by the Kedah Exco and fails to respect the feelings and sensitivities of Hindu adherents. Citing the execution of the second Movement Control Order is a mere excuse to justify nixing of Thaipusam holiday in Kedah.

As the Covid-19 pandemic situation has caused hospitals to reach a breaking point, with no signs of improvement, Putrajaya had announced the reinstatement of the MCO while the related SOPs were enhanced. It is understandable that the federal  government has disallowed mass scale public processions,  celebrations and gatherings of Thaipusam to safeguard people’s health. However, there is no need for the Kedah state government to cancel Thaipusam as a public holiday in the northern state as Hindu families could still observe this holy day at home.

Disallowing mass-scale festive celebrations is one matter. But why is there a need to revoke the public holiday of the relevant festival? These actions are two completely separate issues. Why prohibit the Hindu community from commemorating their relevant festivals at home? So long as the SOPs as outlined by the National Security Council are practised, there is no issue.

Observing Thaipusam as a public holiday, not scrapping this auspicious festival demonstrate one’s respect for the Hindu community, in addition to recognising diversity and co-existence in Malaysia. Unfortunately, the decision by the Kedah state Exco undermines the spirit of mutual respect and appreciation – the main features reflective of Malaysia.

Datuk Tan Teik Cheng
MCA Vice President

-MCA online-