GEORGE TOWN: Hindu devotees attending the Maasi Magam Theppa Thiruvisha or the Floating Lantern Festival at the Sri Singamuga Kaliamman Temple in Teluk Bahang next Monday (March 2) have been urged not to use styrofoam and polystyrene, which are non-biodegradable.
State housing and environmental committee chairman Datuk Seri S. Sundarajoo said the advisory is part of Penang’s goal to stop the use of single-use plastics to protect the environment, as the festival will see devotees releasing lantern-like lights placed on trays into the sea.
"This is the second year that this festival will stick to the 'Going Green' concept," said Sundarajoo, who is also the Penang Green Council deputy chairman.
Also present were temple chairman A. Kanapathy, Consumers Association of Penang (CAP) research and campaign coordinating officer N. Subbarow and Malaysian Hindu Sangam Council of Penang chairman T. Viveka Ratna.
Sundarajoo said over 30,000 are expected to attend the festival, and the state government will provide free Rapid Penang bus services to facilitate the transportation of devotees to the temple, in addition to encouraging the use of environmentally-friendly materials during the festival.
"A total of 3,000 reusable bags will be distributed by the Penang Green Council at the festival as part of efforts to cultivate the practice of bringing their own bags. We aim to completely stop the use of single-use plastics in Penang before Sept 1," he said. - Bernama
