More wheeling and dealing in Penang chariot battle

GEORGE TOWN: Penang’s battle of the Thaipusam chariots just got uglier. The Nattukotai Chettiars are hoping to bring forward the start of their usual silver chariot procession to the night of Feb 7 instead of the morning of Feb 8 as earlier planned.

The rival Penang Hindu Endow­ment Board’s golden chariot had been scheduled to leave early in the morning of Feb 8, ahead of the silver chariot.

In a counter move, the Hindu Endowment Board chairman Dr P. Ramasamy now wants to bring forward the procession time of the golden chariot as well.

According to earlier plans, the silver chariot was supposed to leave kovil veedu in Penang Street about 90 minutes after the golden chariot operated by the Penang Hindu Endowment Board leaves the Sri Maha Mariamman Temple in nearby Queen Street.

At a press conference yesterday, board chairman Dr P. Ramasamy vented his anger at the chettiars’ move to seek permission from the police to bring forward the silver chariot procession to 11pm on Feb 7 from the original 6.30am on Feb 8.

He said it was irresponsible to change the timing of the procession without both sides agreeing to it.

Dr Ramasamy, who is Deputy Chief Minister II, said the timing of the processions was discussed with the police on Jan 11 during a meeting to sort out traffic, safety and other issues.

“There was no objection by the chettiars during the meeting and nothing was raised during the state Thaipusam coordination committee meeting on Thursday as well.

“The set time must be adhered to. If not, there will be issues with the other agencies involved in the procession,” Dr Ramasamy said.

He said if the silver chariot procession was brought forward to 11pm on Feb 7, then the golden chariot would also be brought forward and it would leave the Sri Maha Ma­­riam­man Temple at 9pm on Feb 7.

However, it is not known if either of the proposals will go through. The police have yet to give permission for the new procession times.

George Town OCPD Asst Comm Mior Faridalathrash Wahid said he would make an announcement later on the chettiars’ request.

Nattukotai Chettiar Temple mana­ging trustee M. Renganathan said they approached the police a few days ago for permission to bring for­ward the timing of the procession.

“It was earlier agreed that the processions would leave two hours apart in the early morning of Feb 8.

“However, after the meeting on Jan 11 with the police, the trustees held a meeting where we discussed the issues that would arise if the pro­cessions were only two hours apart.

“If the golden chariot is only two hours ahead of the silver chariot, it might cause a delay in the procession. If the change is approved by police, then the procession will be smoother and will reach the temple during the day on Feb 8,” he said.