JOHOR BARU: Standard operating procedures (SOP) for Thaipusam celebrations are expected to be tabled for approval in the first week of January, says National Unity Minister Datuk Halimah Mohamed Sadique.

       She said working visits would be made in several states that celebrate large-scale Thaipusam events to better understand the situation before the government comes up with a set of guidelines for the religious festivities.

       “We have visited Batu Caves, Selangor which is usually the largest location for the annual celebrations, as well as Johor today to listen to the views of temple representatives and get a better feel of their needs and religious customs.

       “This is to ensure the best and safest conditions for the festive celebration to be held.

       “Next, we will head to Melaka, Negri Sembilan, Penang, Kedah and Perak in order to compile all the information needed before I present it to the Covid-19 Quartet Ministers Meeting for approval,” she said after a briefing session with eight Hindu temples at Sri Subramaniar Tampoi Temple here on Sunday (Dec 19).

       She added that the working visit was made on the instructions of the Quartet Ministers Meeting on Tuesday (Dec 14) for the National Unity Ministry, National Security Council (NSC), Health Ministry and police to look at event sites before proposing the necessary SOP.

       Halimah said she also took the time to visit the sites in Johor Baru where the temples plan to hold their Thaipusam procession and other rituals including the paal kudam (milk offering) and hair shaving.

       At the four-hour briefing and exchange of views, Halimah clarified reports on her statement in Parliament that any processions for Thaipusam, which falls on Jan 18, and the Chinese New Year Chingay event in 2022 were disallowed due to the Omicron variant.

       She said before any celebrations, a consultation panel would usually be convened alongside other government agencies such as the Health Ministry and police.

       “What I said in the Dewan Rakyat was that in the prior consultation session, one of the agencies suggested that such events are disallowed for safety reasons.

       “However, I told them that the decision for events to be banned or permitted does not lie with my ministry and I do not have the jurisdiction to (decide) that,” she said.

       She added that all proposals on SOP must be brought to the National Security Council, the Covid-19 Quartet Ministers Meeting and the National Recovery Council for consideration.