GEORGE TOWN: Music at thaneer panthal (refreshment) stalls along Thaipusam procession routes in Penang must stop at 11pm following instructions from the police, not the Penang Hindu Endowments Board (PHEB), said Penang MIC chairman Datuk Dhinagharan Jayabalan.
Dhinagharan, who is a commissioner with the board, said in a statement the decision was made after the police initially directed that all music be stopped by 10pm due to crowd control and public safety concerns.
He said discussions with the police led to an extension of the cut-off time to 11pm, though requests by devotees and stall operators to allow music until midnight were not approved.
“If the police had agreed, we would have fully supported allowing the music to continue until 12 midnight,” he said.
Dhinagharan said the board did not initiate the cut-off time and stressed that the restriction came from the police.
“After firm discussions and strong representations, PHEB chairman RSN Rayer and commissioners managed to secure an extension until 11pm,” he said.
Thaipusam this year falls on Feb 1 and the time-honoured procession of chariots begins the day before.
During these times, thousands of devotees will walk many kilometres to the temples in Jalan Kebun Bunga to fulfil vows and penances.
The temporary thaneer panthal stalls are set up as places for such devotees to pause and rest during their march.
Dhinagharan said the board respected the role of the police in ensuring public safety, though it regretted the disappointment caused to devotees.
He called on stall operators and devotees to raise the issue at the next panthal operators’ meeting so it could be discussed openly and resolved collectively for future celebrations.
“Penang MIC remains committed to safeguarding religious practices and will continue to engage the relevant authorities to seek improved arrangements for future Thaipusam celebrations,” he said.
