GEORGE TOWN: Hindu devotees should not use synthetic foam materials or plastics during the Masi Maga Theppa Thiruvizha, a floating chariot festival scheduled for celebration on March 12 at Teluk Bahang, Penang.
Penang housing and environment committee chairman Datuk Seri S. Sundarajoo said that myriad foam-based materials usually floated out to sea after the procession.
"Foam and plastic materials pollute the sea and threaten the marine ecosystem.
"Expanded polystyrene (EPS), commonly mistaken for styrofoam, is non-biodegradable.
"Over time, it breaks into microplastics persisting in the ocean for centuries, harming marine life.
"These materials break down into microplastics entering the marine food chain.
"Fish, turtles, and other marine species mistake them for food, leading to internal injuries, starvation, and toxic accumulation in the ecosystem," he said during a press conference in Komtar Monday (March 10).
He added that to prevent marine pollution and the destruction of marine life, the state government, Consumers Association of Penang (CAP), Penang Green Council (PGC), Malaysia Hindu Sangam (MHS) Penang chapter and the Sri Singamuga Kaliamman Temple's management committee appeal to devotees to abstain from using styrofoam, polystyrene or plastic-based lanterns.
"Natural oil lamps on banana stems were used about two to three decades ago.
“The lights are fixed on layers of banana tree stems, which is the better choice because it not only floats well but also gets biodegraded in the sea," he added.
According to Sundarajoo, the temple management has championed environmentally friendly alternatives in recent years, and once again, this year, the temple is orchestrating eco-conscious options.
"CAP, in collaboration with the state government, PGC, MHS, and the temple management, urge devotees to opt for safer, eco-friendly alternatives, such as plates crafted from betel nut tree leaves, padi husks, and banana tree stems for floating the lights" he said.
As the festival expresses gratitude to God, Mother Nature, and the sea for their sustenance, embracing environmentally sustainable practices makes the celebration all the more meaningful, he added.
The annual Floating Chariot Procession celebrated at the 118-year-old Singamuga Kaliamman Temple in Teluk Bahang, is a seaside festival that attracts thousands of devotees.
During this festival, a floating chariot decorated with lights and flowers, carrying temple deities, will tour the sea.
Traditionally, thousands of devotees set decorated lantern-like lights to float in the sea after making a wish during the chariot tour.
These decorated lights are fixed on styrofoam and polystyrene materials because of their light weight and ability to float easily on water.
CAP education officer and campaign organiser NV Subbarow, PGC general manager Josephine Tan Mei Ling, MHS state council chairman Tharman Anandan, and Sri Singamuga Kaliamman Temple Teluk Bahang chairman A. Kanabathy were also present at the press conference.
