Bernama reported Vigneswaran as saying that unlike last year, Hindus were allowed to perform the rituals except for the carrying of kavadis.

Vigneswaran went on to say that the SOPs set by the government should be commended as it enabled Thaipusam to be celebrated nationwide.

“This shows the government ensures that the concept of ‘Keluarga Malaysia’ is practised for all the communities in this country,” the national news agency quoted him as saying.

Earlier today, MIC number two M Saravanan said the SOPs set for Thaipusam has further eroded the trust of the Indian community in the government.

Hindus, the human resources minister said, were “very unhappy” with the SOPs, with some asking him why the government allowed “thousands” to visit malls but limited the number of attendees at Batu Caves.

“In the end, we are losing the trust of the community.”

Former prime minister Najib Razak also said the Covid-19 rules for Thaipusam were “too tight”, adding that the Indian community was very disappointed.

Apart from not allowing kavadis, the government only permitted those above 18 to take part in the prayers. Under the Thaipusam SOPs set by the National Security Council (MKN), temple opening hours were limited to 5am-11pm yesterday and today.

In the past, the temple was allowed to be open for 24 hours from the eve of Thaipusam until the next day.

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