MCO no reason to cancel Thaipusam holiday, says Najib
Former prime minister Najib Razak does not agree with Kedah menteri besar Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor’s decision to cancel the Thaipusam holiday.
PETALING JAYA: Najib Razak has added his voice to the chorus against the cancellation of the Thaipusam holiday by the Kedah government, saying the movement control order (MCO) may have stopped the celebrations but Hindus still observe it.
Taking to Facebook, the former prime minister said there was no need for the Thaipusam holiday to be cancelled just because the activities related to the annual festival are not allowed in public due to the MCO.
He was responding to Kedah Menteri Besar Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor’s announcement yesterday that there would be no public holiday for Thaipusam in the state this year with the MCO ruling out any celebration.
Najib said Thaipusam is among the most important festivals for Hindus in Malaysia with a number of states declaring it a public holiday for decades.
“Even though this year’s celebrations are affected by the MCO, there is no need to cancel the public holiday because Hindu families can still celebrate it at home.
“Let us maintain this tradition. We are 1Malaysia.”
Taking to Facebook, the former prime minister said there was no need for the Thaipusam holiday to be cancelled just because the activities related to the annual festival are not allowed in public due to the MCO.
He was responding to Kedah Menteri Besar Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor’s announcement yesterday that there would be no public holiday for Thaipusam in the state this year with the MCO ruling out any celebration.
Najib said Thaipusam is among the most important festivals for Hindus in Malaysia with a number of states declaring it a public holiday for decades.
“Even though this year’s celebrations are affected by the MCO, there is no need to cancel the public holiday because Hindu families can still celebrate it at home.
“Let us maintain this tradition. We are 1Malaysia.”
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Subsequently in Kedah:
Kedah MB says Thaipusam never a public holiday in state, insists not denying Hindus' rights
ALOR SETAR, Jan 21 — Kedah’s decision not to observe Thaipusam which falls on Jan 28, as a public holiday, is not meant to deny the rights of Hindus in the state.
Mentri Besar Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor said however, worshippers can still celebrate the festival by adhering to the standard operating procedures (SOP) to prevent the spread of Covid-19.
“Everyone has been asked to stay at home following the implementation of the movement control order (MCO). All this while, Thaipusam is not a public holiday in Kedah except for the last two years, it has been made as ‘cuti peristiwa’ (special holiday).
“The decision has nothing to do with the intention to deny the rights of anyone in this state. Even before Thaipusam was made cuti peristiwa, it had been celebrated freely and merrily in Kedah,” he said in a statement here today.
Yesterday, in a press conference after chairing the state executive council meeting said for this year, Thaipusam would not be a public holiday following the current Covid-19 situation.
The decision has triggered criticism from several political leaders, including Human Resources Minister and MIC deputy president, Datuk Seri M. Saravanan who described it as bias.
Muhammad Sanusi said the decision should not be politicised as the country was now facing a bigger issue, namely the Covid-19 pandemic.
“With the MCO and Emergency Ordinance currently in force, any festival can be celebrated on a moderate scale and by strictly complying with the SOP. Do not politicise everything. This is a matter of safety and the lives of all Malaysians.
“If MIC wants Thaipusam to be observed as a public holiday, they can ask the federal government to announce it as a public holiday for the whole country. Kedah already has a decision on this matter,” he said.
The decision has triggered criticism from several political leaders, including Human Resources Minister and MIC deputy president, Datuk Seri M. Saravanan who described it as bias.
Muhammad Sanusi said the decision should not be politicised as the country was now facing a bigger issue, namely the Covid-19 pandemic.
“With the MCO and Emergency Ordinance currently in force, any festival can be celebrated on a moderate scale and by strictly complying with the SOP. Do not politicise everything. This is a matter of safety and the lives of all Malaysians.
“If MIC wants Thaipusam to be observed as a public holiday, they can ask the federal government to announce it as a public holiday for the whole country. Kedah already has a decision on this matter,” he said.
I checked the actual legal status of the Thaipusam holiday in Kedah, which had been declared since 2015.
ReplyDeleteIt has always had the status of an "Ad Hoc" Public Holiday, rather than the official Holiday that it has in Penang and Selangor.
So, unfortunately, yes , the Kedah State government can simply opt not to observe the Holiday.
That doesn't make it right, though.
Bila MIC keluar BN?
ReplyDeleteI think can cancel CNY in Kedah too. Everybody duduk rumah makan Maggi Mee macam Wee KHAT Siong, who will Boh Lam Phar obey PAS.
A new TRX/Bandar Malaysia/1MDB is starting to brew in Langkawi....Toonsie better stay sharp.....ha ha ha....taxpayers will be ripped off soon......PAS has been in charge of Kelantan for decades and has achieved nothing, now comes a 40 billion project in Kedah......
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Widad Business Group to develop RM40b project in Langkawi, says Kedah MB
Wednesday, 20 Jan 2021
ALOR SETAR, Jan 20 — Widad Business Group will be developing a high-impact project in Langkawi with an estimated gross development value (GDV) of about RM40 billion over the next 15 to 20 years.
Kedah Mentri Besar Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor said the project consists of tourism-related components such as five-star hotels and resorts, as well as residences and healthcare facilities.
“The state government has agreed to the new investment in Langkawi from local diversified company Widad Business Group to develop the 800-hectare Widad @ Langkasuka with 90 per cent of the development on land near Padang Matsirat reclaimed from the sea.
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if parliament can off, how thaipusam is diff?
ReplyDelete