Disabled man charged with throwing slipper at cop

He allegedly committed the offence during the Thaipusam festival in Batu Caves recently.

FMT

KUALA LUMPUR: A disabled man pleaded not guilty in the Selayang magistrate’s court here today to a charge of throwing a slipper at a police officer’s head during the Thaipusam festival, earlier this month.

M Krishnan, 57, who appeared in court wearing lock-up attire and carrying a walking stick allegedly committed the offence at the Mariamman Temple in Batu Caves, Selayang, here at 10.20am on February 3.

Deputy public prosecutor Nur Hafizah Rajuni offered bail at RM2,000 with one surety and an additional condition that the accused must report to the nearest police station once a month.

The accused’s counsel, Akmal Jusoh, pleaded for the bail to be reduced on the grounds that his client was a disabled card holder and it was unlikely he would flee.

Magistrate Namirah Hanum Mohamed Albaki allowed bail at RM1,500 with one surety and fixed April 1 for mention.

– BERNAMA

Mufti: Najib hadir seakan penganut agama Hindu

Najib should not don Hindu attire, garlands, says Perlis mufti

Datuk Seri Najib Razak's advisers should be stricter in enforcing the rules set by Islam when the prime minister attends non-Muslim celebrations, the Perlis mufti said.

Datuk Mohd Asri Zainul Abidin said the prime minister's advisers should be firm with the event organisers to protect the sanctity of Islam.

"The prime minister's advisers should also inform the organisers not to present a garland to Najib or request that he wear Hindu attire when celebrating a religious festival," he told Malay-language daily Sinar Harian.

"They should be firm in this matter and inform the organisers of the Thaipusam celebration in Batu Caves that Najib will attend on the condition that he not take part in any Hindu ritual.

"This is what Islam forbids. Muslim leaders are not prohibited from attending other religious festivals, but there are rules and limits," he said.

He said Najib could attend the Thaipusam celebration in Batu Caves, as part of his duty as the prime minister, but should not participate in any religious ritual as it was against Islamic teachings.

"Najib can appear there dressed in a suit. There is no harm in that. What matters is that Najib attends the Hindu religious festivals because he is the Malaysian prime minister and he cares for all Malaysians," said Asri.

As an example, Asri said the Muslim police officers on duty in Batu Caves for the Thaipusam festival were not necessarily celebrating it.

"The police are protecting the public and ensuring the celebrations go on peacefully. They are not celebrating the festival, but only carrying out their duty of maintaining public peace and security."

He added that as the prime minister who cared for the interests of all race and religions, Najib should attend the religious celebrations of non-Muslim faiths.

Two years ago, Perak Mufti Tan Sri Harussani Zakaria claimed Najib had "sacrificed his faith" by attending the Thaipusam celebration, and said he advised the prime minister each year not to attend such events as it was an "idolatrous act".

But Harussani later back-pedalled on his criticism after Najib spoke to him personally, and said the prime minister had not flouted Islamic doctrine as he was not involved in a religious procession nor did he enter the cave where the main religious activities are conducted. – February 6, 2015

- See more at: http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/najib-should-not-don-hindu-attire-garlands-says-perlis-mufti#sthash.Xt7Ply0B.dpuf

Kurta, garlands cultural elements, not religious, say Indian leaders

Traditional attire, such as kurta, and flower garlands are part of Indian culture and have nothing to do with the Hindu religion, Indian leaders said today, refuting the Perlis mufti’s suggestion that by donning such attire at Thaipusam, the prime minister was taking part in the religious ceremony.

Malaysian Hindu Sangam president Datuk R. S. Mohan Shan also said that presenting a garland was, in fact, a sign of respect for honoured guests.

"It has always been the Indian way of respecting others. It is an important aspect of our culture and has nothing to do with religion," he told The Malaysian Insider.

"There is nothing in the Quran that says Muslims cannot be presented with garlands."

Mohan was responding to a statement by Datuk Mohd Asri Zainul Abidin that Datuk Seri Najib Razak should not have worn a "Hindu" attire nor should he have been presented with a garland when he attended the Thaipusam celebrations in Batu Caves on Tuesday.

"They (Najib's advisers) should be firm on this matter and inform the organisers of the Thaipusam celebration in Batu Caves that Najib will attend on the condition that he not take part in any Hindu ritual," said Asri.

"This is what Islam forbids. Muslim leaders are not prohibited from attending other religious festivals, but there are rules and limits."

Batu Caves' Sri Subramaniam Temple chairman Tan Sri R. Nadarajah said that it was a tradition to garland any VIP who attended any function as a sign of respect.

"Many sultans, prime ministers, chief ministers and other dignitaries have attended Thaipusam celebrations at Batu Caves.

"As a mark of respect, we garland them. This is tradition. Datuk Seri Najib attended as our guest and we did the same," he added.

Najib did not enter the temple and was just at Batu Caves to perform his official duty as the prime minister, said MIC vice-president Datuk M. Saravanan.

"Why is this being made into an issue? The mufti has failed to understand that the kurta and the garland are cultural elements for Indians. They are not a Hindu thing," he said, adding that Najib was prime minister for all Malaysians.

Hitting out at the mufti, Mohan said Muslims in countries such as India, Bangladesh and Pakistan wore kurtas and not the baju Melayu, which is a Malay traditional costume.

"We can see how shallow-minded the mufti is. Najib is not only the prime minister for Muslims but for all Malaysians," he said.

"We don't deny that Najib is a Muslim. And we have given him all the respect to him as a Muslim. But Muslims in other countries wear similar clothes as Islam does not impose any dress code as long as one is dressed modestly," he said.

Bringing up such a trivial matter, Mohan said, was yet another attempt to create discord and tension among the different races and religions in Malaysia.

Two years ago, Perak mufti Tan Sri Harussani Zakaria claimed Najib had "sacrificed his faith" by attending the Thaipusam celebrations, and said he advised the prime minister each year not to attend such events as they were an "idolatrous act".

But Harussani later back-pedalled on his criticism after Najib spoke to him personally, and said the prime minister had not flouted Islamic doctrine as he was not involved in a religious procession nor did he enter the cave where the main religious activities are conducted. – February 7, 2015.

- See more at: http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/kurta-garlands-cultural-elements-not-religious-say-indian-leaders#sthash.pr5cHCHl.dpuf

‘I’m Muslim, I love Hindus’ campaign will destroy Islamic faith, ISMA claims

Malay Mail Online

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 5 — An “I’m Muslim, I love Hindus” campaign by the Young Interfaith Peacemaker Community of Indonesia (YIPCI) is a veiled attempt at pushing for religious equality in Muslim-majority Malaysia, Ikatan Muslimin Malaysia (ISMA) has alleged.

ISMA information chief Mohd Hazizi Ab Rahman took issue with a photograph of a YIPCI representative, who appears to be a Muslim female clad in a headscarf, holding up a placard that read “I’m a Muslim, I love Hindus” — saying that this could erode the faith of Muslims in the country.

The photograph, which appears to be have been taken during the Thaipusam celebration here on Monday, has since gone viral on social media.

“The conviction of Muslims — that Islam is the only true religion is being blamed as the reason behind racial discord and the cause of disharmony,” said Mohd Hazizi in a statement published yesterday on Ismaweb.net.

“The baseless accusations have been successful in convincing a group of Muslims to feel guilty and to be apologetic over something that does not exist and to get involved in campaigns that could destroy their faith,” he added, referring to the Indonesian group’s interfaith initiative.

Indonesia is home to the world’s largest Muslim population, with over 200 million of its people subscribing to Islam.

Mohd Hazizi said that such campaigns,which claimed to push for multi-religious harmony are largely backed by foreign funders to convince Muslims that other religions are equal to Islam.

He did not provide evidence to back up his allegations.

Mohd Hazizi said it was “strange” to launch such a campaign as Muslims have been the target of insults and persecution by non-Muslims in many countries worldwide.

“It is strange that there is the ‘love other religions campaign’ targeted at Muslims, when, in reality, Muslims are the victims of religious hatred in Palestine, Myanmar, France, Netherlands, in the African continent and other countries,” he said.

He also claimed the ongoing campaign in commemoration of the “World Interfaith Harmony Week” to convey ones’ love for non-Muslims “has serious implications on one’s faith” as it would cause Muslims here to question their religious beliefs.

“Muslims involved are advised to refer to experts on Islam, so that such action can be avoided in future,” said Mohd Hazizi.

ISMA’s assertions, made ahead of Indonesian leader Joko Widodo’s maiden visit here as president today, could add to the thorny issues testing bilateral ties with Malaysia.

Foreigners love the rituals, colours and music of Thaipusam

Tourists comment on how they have thoroughly enjoyed their first experience of Thaipusam in Malaysia.

FMT

KUALA LUMPUR: Foreign tourists have expressed how awesome it was to experience Thaipusam’s 125th celebration with Hindu devotees at the Sri Subramaniyar Swamy temple in Batu Caves here today.

Hundreds of them flocked there, with some having travelled thousands of kilometres, just to witness one of the most prestigious celebrations in the Hindu calendar in Southeast Asia.

An Italian tourist, Mattia Malavenda, 34, said he appreciated the beauty of the culture in Malaysia and considered Thaipusam one of his ‘must see’ events as this was his first time witnessing such a mesmerising celebration in his life.

“I have never seen such a huge crowd here. It is very nice, traditional and fantastic. It was something different for me as this celebration does not exist in my country,” he told Bernama here today adding that he had been in the country for ten days touring the peninsula.

In his excitement, he climbed the 272 steps leading to the temple inside the cave together with 1.6 million Hindu devotees and tourists who also swarmed the area to join in the festivities.

Seen among the sea of Hindus were kavadi carriers and bare-footed devotees who thronged the temple to fulfill their vows and to seek penance for their sins in conjunction with the festival.

An American, Kevin Mcnulty, 41, said it was his first time experiencing the celebration despite having stayed in Malaysia for about three years when he followed his wife, who worked here.

Mcnulty, who lives in Ampang, said he was fortunate to have the opportunity to come to Batu Caves as he loved the music featured in the festivities too.

“I just love the music. It makes me alive and make others happy,” he observed, adding only that the local authority and the temple’s management should provide more public dustbins in the area.

Another American, David Anderson, 25, said it was his first visit and that he was mesmerised by the Hindu devotees’ religious ritual.

“I love the music and most of all I like that there are lots of kiosks for me to buy souvenirs,” he said.

- BERNAMA

Thaipusam Batu Caves: The dark side

Thaipusam ignites racist rants on Twitter

The annual Thaipusam festival never fails to bring traffic at Batu Caves and its surrounding areas to a crawl.

The Hindu homage to Lord Muruga draws more than a million people, among them devotees, tourists and Malaysians of all faiths.

Since taking over the reins in 2003, Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak has also made it a point to visit the iconic Batu Caves temple on Thaipusam, which is a public holiday in several states.

This year, Thaipusam fell on a Friday (Jan 17), which is also the day that Muslims perform their Solat Jumaat in mosques.

And the traffic congestion as a result of Thaipusam saw a slew of racist and derogatory remarks made on Twitter.

Among others, one tweet says: “Bodoh punya keling (derogatory term for Indians) paria baruah anjing! Thaipusam kau, kau cuti. Aku nak pergi Solat Jumaat, kau tak bagi. Keling sakai anjing.”

(Stupid pariah Indian dogs. It is your Thaipusam, you go on leave. I want to go carry out Friday prayers, you do not allow. Keling sakai dogs.)

'Politicians to blame'

Screen captures of these messages have now gone viral.

Observers have blamed politicians from race-based parties for the regression in racial ties due to the playing up of racial and religious sentiments to garner votes.

Umno and its leaders often shoulder the lion’s share of the blame.

Some have claimed that Umno has chosen to up the racial and religious ante as its leaders are aware that it is the only formula that can ensure the party continues to remain in power.

Prior to this, MIC lodged a police report against a Facebook user, "Man Namblast", who posted a status on Jan 18 that read: "Berpuluh ribu syaitan sedang berarak menaiki tangga Batu Cave." (Tens of thousands of devils are marching up the steps of Batu Caves).

New rules for Thaipusam kavadi bearers

Hindu Sangam said kavadi bearers who defied the new rules will be barred from entering the temple grounds.

PETALING JAYA: Devotees fulfilling their penance during Thaipusam in Batu Caves will no longer be allowed to carry “fancy” kavadis bearing logos of their associations, favourite soccer clubs, movie stars and uncommon fruits and items.

The Malaysian Hindu Sangam said devotees who failed to adhere to the new regulations will have to face the prospect of not being able to fullfill their religious obligations.

“The committee has decided on several new regulations to ensure a smooth Thaipusam. We will strictly adhere to the new rules.

“Devotees who defy the kavadi regulations will not be allowed into the temple to fulfill their penance,” said Hindu Sangam president RS Mohan Shan.

He said a new taskforce comprising Hindu Sangam, security officials and several other Indian NGOs had been set-up to ensure the new guidelines are properly implemented during the January 17 Thaipusam festival.

Speaking at a press conference, here, he said Kavadis should be designed in worship of Thaipusam’s lead deity which is Lord Muruga.

“This year we will not allow kavadis bearers to wear black skirts and smoke ceroot in the name of God.

“Devotees are also not allowed to have long fancy nails and hooks bearing uncommon fruits such as durians on their backs. This is not a real Thaipusam practice.

“Thaipusam is a divine religious festival and we should pay respect to it,” he stressed.

Mohan said his committee members will be monitoring the situation at the river side area to ensure devotees adhered to the new kavadi regulations.

“It is not going to be easy but we will try our level best to stop any irregularities,” he added.

He said in addition, owners of refreshment stalls within Batu Caves compound will be barred from using styrofoam cups.

“Only plastic cups will be allowed this year,” he said.

He also urged the media to assist in disseminating information of the new rules and regulations to their readers.

Dirt and noise mar Thaipusam

This year’s festival saw a crowd, but the lack of public facilities made it less than perfect.

BATU CAVES: Observers agree that the crowd at last weekend’s Thaipusam celebration in Batu Caves was the largest in recent memory. Officials of the Sri Subramaniar temple estimate that more than 1.6 million pilgrims and tourists were at the holy site during the climax of the annual festival on Sunday.

Observers also noticed that this year the number of non-Hindu Malaysians in the crowd, especially those not accompanied by Hindu friends, was bigger than in previous years.

Perhaps the most plausible explanation for both the record attendance and the high proportion of non-Hindus is that it was a three-day weekend for Malaysians, Monday being a national holiday.

Officials said they were gratified that no major untoward incident happened despite the difficulties involved in managing such a large gathering of people.

However, the authorities failed in a few aspects of crowd control, most obviously in the management of rubbish and the provision of toilet facilities.

Rubbish bins and trash cans were nowhere to be seen, and the enormous amount of garbage that littered the area during the festival should jolt the temple management into considering a budget for janitorial services for future celebrations.

When it came to public toilets, not only were there too few of them, but they were also hard to locate. There was not a single sign pointing directions to them.

Several pilgrims complained about the level of noise, especially the sounds coming from the carnival areas and concert stage.

One devotee complained that even the devotional songs broadcast by the temple management was too loud.

K Ashok, a 37-year-old pilgrim from Kedah, said the public address system was turned on so loud that it frustrated his attempts to locate his missing family by mobile phone.

“I’m not objecting to the management playing the devotional songs but I think they should reduce the volume, maybe at the medium level,” he said.

“I was separated from my family was trying to call one of them, but I couldn’t hear anything.

“I went to the stalls where they sold food and souvenirs, but one of the stalls was playing CDs and the stereo was turned on full blast.”

Stop unnecessary entertainment

Ashok suggested that the temple management ban “unnecessary entertainment” at future Thaipusam celebrations.

“I think the time has come for the temple management to stop unnecessary entertainment like the free concerts and fun fair,” he said.

“We come for prayers, not for entertainment.”

Another pilgrim, M Kauri of Kajang, also complained about the noise. She was particularly irritated by the blowing of air horns, which were sold this year at several stalls.

“We already have the Urumi Melam beats and the songs from PA system and shops selling things,” she said. “All of these make for a very noisy environment.

“Now we have the air horn as well. I don’t understand why people would blow those horns during the festival. This is not a football stadium.”

A Murugan of Seremban said he did not mind the noise, but was concerned about the congestion at the entrance to the temple complex.

He said the temple management should ensure that no stall is allowed anywhere near the entrance and along the route to the temple steps.

“Every year the crowd is increasing, but the width of the path remains same,” he said.

“The only way to minimise the congestion is to do away with the temporary stalls and booths on both sides of the road.

“The temple management must emphasise the comfort, safety and security of the devotees.

“I was stuck in the crowd for almost an hour before I could make my way to the top for prayers. A number of ‘kavadi’ bearers were also stuck in the crowd.”

Murugan said he was still looking forward to riding a cable car to the cave temple, referring to a project announced several years ago.

Gangnam style at Thaipusam

A kavadi bearer and his friends berated for making a mockery of the festival by fulfilling a vow to the beat of South Korean pop star's mega hit.
VIDEO INSIDE

PETALING JAYA: Thousands of netizens are up in arms over a video clip showing a kavadi bearer and a group of his friends dancing to South Korean pop star Psy’s Oppa Gangnam Style.

The embarrassing 46-second video clip uploaded on YouTube has registered close to 6,000 hits since it was uploaded on Saturday, with angry viewers expressing their disapproval.

The clip titled, “2013 Penang Thaipusam goes Gangnam Style”, is believed to be taken in Penang. It shows a kavadi bearer and four Indian youths dancing to the pop song.

There’s even a little boy who appears mid-way in the clip mimicking the moves of the Korean pop star whose song recently passed one billion YouTube views.

One commenter, Clue Less, said: “This is why other races always condemn us. When it’s about a prayer, just pray. Is this a must? It makes sense if it is a devotional song. Why Gangnam?

“Sadly, we refuse to accept the truth when other races say it and start to bark at them. Think people. We create the opportunity for them to run us down. Think.”

Another YouTube account holder Thinagaran Hari Raja said that the video clip was really hurting. He added that the Indian culture and religion is degrading at a very fast pace.

Most of the commentators were of the view that there is a dire lack of religious education.

“How many of us know what the Thaipusam festival is all about and how to celebrate it correctly?” asked one OM Tamil.

The Malaysia Hindu Sangam (MHS) said that it does not condone anyone trivialising a religious festival.

Its president, RS Mohan Shan, said he was not aware of the video clip but nevertheless added that the incident is really shameful to the Indian community.

“The current generation does not understand the essence of religion. Some come to Thaipusam festivals only for fun and to make merry in an improper manner,” he said.

“Due to ignorance, our culture is deteriorating and we must rectify it before it gets worse. Let us watch the video first, before we consider any action,” added Mohan.

Blame Hindu Sangam

In another development, the Malaysian Indian Progressive Association (MIPAS) condemned Hindu Sangam for not doing enough to educate the Indian youths on religious matters.

MIPAS secretary S Barathisadan claimed that Hindu Sangam should have assumed such a responsibility and to stop blaming the youths for their immoral activities.

He also said that Hindu Sangam had previously remained silent when a local Indian drama with its title themed on Gangam Style was aired during Ponggal recently.

“Why should we blame the youths (over the Gangam Style kavadi) when Astro had aired a local drama with the title ‘Ponggal Gangnam Style’ ?” he asked.

“Anyhow we should accept that it is not right to do the Gangnam dance for kavadis. But, Hindu Sangam should be blamed for their inaction and they must start educating our youths’,” said Barathidasan.

Muhyiddin had no place at Thaipusam festival

By Saravanan

It took so many months for the deputy prime minister (DPM) to revoke Interlok, the book which has caused anger among Indian Malaysians and Chinese Malaysians. The DPM made many flip-flops to keep the book as a school text. The anger made Hindraf protest against this book, and many Hindraf members were charged in court. Till today the DPM has not bothered to stop the case even after the book Interlok was revoked from being a school text book.

Muhyiddin Yassin was more or less following the Malay supremacy behaviour. How can he, without dignity, attend the Thaipusam festival and be a very important person (VIP) for the festival. The one who did not respect Indian sentiment then made an address during the Thaipusam festival.

I urge the committee members of Maha Mariamman and MIC to invite more Hindu saints and priests to be VIPs during Thaipusam, rather than politicians. Thaipusam is not a political event. MIC have been using Maha Mariamman Devastanam for their political agenda from the day S Samy Vellu held the presidential post.

Thaipusam is a holy festival. Indians would rather love to hear transcendental lectures than political talks. The whole system need to be revamped, where saints and priests need to be garlanded, not the politicians who are failing to keep their promises.

Basically, all Hindu festivals are holy festivals. In fact before Thaipusam the devotees fasts or goes vegetarian for several days. That is how they respect the holy festival. I totally disagree with honouring a beef-eater during a holy festival which is totally disrespectful of Hinduism. For Hindus killing a cow is like a killing a mother. So letting someone who eats beef to address the crowd is a total mark of disrespect.

In Malaysia the ‘Allah’ issue is becoming so hot. The Malay Muslims are not happy about Christians using the ‘Allah’ word in the Bible. If that is the case how could Indians be happy when the DPM gave a speech during Thaipusam. If at all this doesn’t make sense, I urge people of other religions people to let Hindu leaders give a speech at their mosques or churches. It is not fair for Hindus to be marginalised this way.

MIC, Umno and Maha Mariamman Devastanam, be fair to the Malaysian Hindus.

The Chief Constable and his warnings — Sakmongkol AK47

JAN 27 — Politicians and civil servants are saying a lot about religion nowadays.

The Malaysian IGP or equivalent to UK's Chief Constable has come out warning those who make fun of religion and racial issues. He says doing that can create hostilities and disunite the country.

We agree with him fully. He should use whatever powers he has to haul these people in without fear or favour.

So why are the police slow in taking up action against Ibrahim Ali?

This fellow has made seditious calls for Malaysian Muslims to seize and burn bibles.

He should have been called the instance he uttered those words. Are we waiting for some bonfires somewhere before action is taken? Then, representatives from the NGO which Ibrahim heads deny any knowledge of a planned bible burning event in Penang.

Having thrown the stones, you hide your inciminating hands.

Why has Penang been singled out? Penang which is headed by a non-Muslim, allocates more than RM60 million a year for Muslim affairs.

It has increased allowance for mosque and surau officials. Gave money to Quran reciters. And so on and so forth.

Perkasa as the self-appointed guardian of all things Malay, Islam and the King should congratulate Penang rather than turning Penang into a Bible burning venue.

If Perkasa wants to burn Bibles, it should choose Seremban. The chief minister there, a Malay and a Muslim can only manage to give RM10 million allocation. The same amount he asked one money changer to send over to UK.

But back to the IGP. Having declared it, he must translate his talk into action. Please arrest Chua Soi Lek for making fun and mocking Islam at his MCA General Assembly late last year.

The whole of Muslim Malaysia heard what he said. Soi Lek has made so many disparaging remarks about Islam. Perkasa was silent on the things Soi Lek said about Islam and in fact condoned and agreed to what Soi Lek said.

Maybe Ibrahim Ali needs to be arrested too because he has said that one of the reasons why Malays and Muslims lagged behind in business is because Islam is inhibitive.

Please also arrest Najib Tun Razak for being physically present in the event where Soi Lek uttered those words.

Later Najib also endorsed what Soi Lek said.

Please arrest Mahathir for saying that if Allah has not chosen Muhammad to be the messenger of Islam, He would have chosen someone else. That's blasphemous.

Otherwise the public will interpret that Ismail Omar's statements were only directed to those opposed to UMNO's interpretation of Islam.

To Muslims please read Quran 5:57. After reading that, will they still want to support Najib? - as long as I am PM, we will not implement Islamic laws. Will they continue to believe what Mahathir says?

* This is the personal opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of The Malaysian Insider.

Thaipusam minus rides and games

Selayang council rejects an application for a fun fair licence.

PETALING JAYA: The Selayang Municipal Council (MPS) has decided to forbid a fun fair at Batu Caves during the Thaipusam festival.

Councillor Gunarajah George said today that MPS’s licensing board had rejected an amusement firm’s application for a license to hold the fair this Sunday in the vicinity of Batu Caves’ Sri Subramaniar temple, citing public interest.

He said the council had been receiving complaints from the public over the last three years concerning the danger posed by carnival equipment.

“Unlike in the old days, the current amusement stalls are set up with giant machines that are not safe for children,” he added.

George also said there had been complaints about the steep prices charged for the carnival rides and games.

“On average, each game costs about RM6, which is definitely a burden to parents, especially those with many children.”

Another justification for the fun fair ban, he added, was that the religious authority Hindu Sangam was against mixing frivolous entertainment with religious practices.

George said MPS was unanimous in supporting the licensing board’s decision.

FMT has learnt that the firm seeking the licence, Green City Amusement Fair Enterprise, has appealed to MPS president Zainal Abidin Aala to reconsider the decision.

Batu Caves serves as a focus of the Hindu community’s annual Thaipusam festival. It has become a pilgrimage site for Hindus worldwide.

Najib with his ‘Nathekai’ (Dirty hand) in Thaipusam

By Saravanan

Each year millions of people going to Batu Caves, Penang Thanir Malai temple and many other Murugan temple to celebrate Thaipusam. Most of us going for the festival for the prayers beside shopping and sightseeing, the moment we talk about Thaipusam Kavadi Attam a dance performed by the devotees during the ceremonial worship of murugan is the one will come to our mind but do you know 80% of the devotees who going for Thaipusam donating in formed of gold, cash and archanai (offerings) to Lord Muruga?

What is puzzling my mind is what happens to all the gold and cash donated by the devotees? The donated cash and gold last seen will be brought to the Mariaman Temple via cargo container for the final counting but the management never once revealed to the public on the total collection. How much is the total collection? The gold value?

I would like to bring to everyone attention even the second richest temple in the world Thirupathi declared all the donation.

As an ordinary Malaysian Indian and citizen of this country who always attended and perfom my prayers during Thaipusam celebration would like to know how much the total collection and how the cash collected on behalf of GOD Murugan has been utilized? Why the fund was not use to assist our poor Indian university students, Tamil school or helping to upgrade our Indian community in term of financially or economically?

How much does the government of Malaysia who ruled by the richest political party in the world UMNO gets in form of tax from our Indian festival?

I believed Many of us are not aware the real reason or the meaning of Thaipiusam. Why the Hindu sangam and Temple committees not taking any initiatives to educate the public about the festival and set some form of guideline which I think will help us to understand the purpose of the festival and many more.

My sincere suggestion to the relevant party that the donation collected during the festival can also be channel to the religious education which is already in a danger zone among our Indian community in Malaysia. This also will help to reduce our community from convert to Muslim, which I believe due to lack of knowledge in Hinduism.

Anyhow UMNO is succeeding in their marginalizing agenda when MIC, Temple management, Hindu Sanggam and many other NGO, s who support BN government did not take any action to curb the corruption in all levels include the temple donation money.

Our beloved Prime minister Najib was garland with the most expensive MALAI, which estimated RM 4000.00 by the temple management and MIC. Why so much of money wasted in the MALAI when there’re many Indian are suffering out there. Do you think UMNO or any other Muslims festival will give you that kind of expensive garland to our Indian leaders in their festival?

I scratch your back and you scratch mine. I keep quiet when you take people’s money from the temple and you make sure you VOTE Barisan Nasional so that we can continue do Nathekai job (dirty job) for Indian community.

Hi friends please ask your self why should we Indians give the honor to PM Najib when he fails to help Indians: -
1.No special allocation for our Indian community to improve our social economy in yearly Budget
2.UMNO killing Indians in prison and police lock up
3.PM Najib has no guts to stop our Indian converting to Muslim
4.UMNO cannot stop temple breaking or gazetted any land for Hindu temples.
5.More than 150000 Indians in Malaysia are having red IC or even without birth certificate.
6.Tamil schools have not properly facilities under Barisan Government.
7.Many Indians in Malaysia are financially strained due to their ‘Ketuanan Melayu’ policy.
8.UMNO treat other Indian collusion party as low class or younger brother.
9.UMNO is not gazetted any permanent land for Indian residential area.
10. UMNO using gangsters like Perkasa, Pekida and Tiga line for threaten the Indian society.

All the above reasons will not allow Indians to give their Nambikai to PM Najib but he is just putting is Nathekai in Malaysian Indians life.

The temple committee and MIC should immediately STOP inviting any UMNO leaders to our Temple and Festival because this people have no respect for our Indian community. Ask yourself, MIC leader have ever UMNO leaders invited to their mosque?

Indian friends please join hand with me to request the Temple Management to declare the Hundial Money and Gold collected during the festival and put all the pressure to STOP them from inviting UMNO leaders for any of our festival.

Hindu Sangam and Malaysian temple authorities should revamp Hindu festivals.

By Saravanan,

Malaysian Indian forum are shocked with some photographs of Thaipusam and complains from the festivals. Thaipusam is a Hindu festival celebrated mostly by the Tamil community on the full moon in the Tamil month of Thai (Jan/Feb). Pusam refers to a star that is at its highest point during the festival. The festival commemorates both the birthday of Lord Murugan, the youngest son of Shiva and Parvati, and the occasion when Parvati gave Murugan a vel (spear) so he could vanquish the evil demon Soorapadman. According to the true story of Thaipusam it is more of devotion and love towards Lord Muruga. In all Hindu scriptures surrendering to the lord was well emphasized but in recent times the celebration of spiritual festivals has been turned to fun fair.

Mr.Arvind Raj, A senior member says “The truth about Batu caves is, it has no system at all, everyone implement their own rules!” During such festivals garbage is thrown everywhere and the atmosphere doesn’t reflect a holy place. The festival has been turned to be a fun fair without the real motive of the Thaipusam. Since it is a holy festival, we are suggesting the Hindu Sangam and Maha Mariamman authorities to make traditional dresses as compulsory for devotees. Man should wear dhoti or least kurta and for women Saree or Chudithar should be the dress code. We got multiple complaints that women are wearing sexy cloths like short pants or tights till uphill. Our religion never taught to wear sexy dresses to temples and these dress guidelines will steadily make the Indians aligned to customs and culture of holy place.

During this Thaipusam, we were extremely shocked with 2 kavadis which were carried with Manchester United football club logo and with DAP logo. It is high time to control superstitious worship and back to the real thaipusam. Many of our members are asking for immediate action.
Many were observed that why this kolavery (Tamil song) was widely used for kavadi dance. Youngsters never been taught about the history and importance of such festival for many years. And eventually festivals are turned more like a street dance festival.

The policeman even stopped devotees (especially kids and women) who were holding Pal Kudam, Kavadis from entering the main gates and diverts them through the exit gate as the main gate is blocked for the Prime Minister Najib. The policemen should have arranged for alternate routes for devotes before blocking them and should have managed the crowd better.

I personally have seen the same festival in the same shape 30 years ago and now in 2012 also we are seeing the same. It is high time for the authorities to intervene and take stern action in future to make this festival showcasing our true Tamil culture and customs.

Najib ‘sacrificed his faith’ to attend Thaipusam do, says Perak Mufti

Najib (centre, left) and Rosmah (centre, right) wave to the crowd from within a flower garland during the Thaipusam celebrations at Batu Caves, February 7, 2011. — Picture by Choo Choy May

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 10 — Perak Mufti Tan Sri Harussani Zakaria today expressed his dismay over the prime minister’s decision to “sacrifice his faith” to attend Thaipusam celebrations at Batu Caves recently.

Harussani said even though he advised Datuk Seri Najib Razak every year not to join such events, the Barisan Nasional (BN) chief appeared not to place much importance on his faith or Islam.

“It’s an idolatrous act. I don’t know why this happened... when we don’t join in the celebrations of other races in their houses of worship.

“The prime minister should have sent a Hindu minister to take his place... as Muslims cannot be involved in other religions’ festivities,” he told The Malaysian Insider.

Harussani added that the minister in charge of Islamic affairs or a religious advisor should have advised Najib not to attend the event held two days ago.

“We cannot join in (on other religions’ celebrations). They perform religious rituals, and as Muslims, we cannot be present,” he said, adding that going to open houses was acceptable but not places of worship.

On Tuesday, Najib attended the annual Thaipusam festival at Batu Caves — his third visit in as many years — where he announced an allocation of RM2 million to build a cultural centre in the area.

Najib, who wore a yellow kurta and was joined by his wife, Datuk Seri Rosmah Mansor, had said he was happy to join in the festivities.

Batu Caves: Temple of Garbage

Tuesday, February 07, 2012 -- Once again Batu Caves has turned into a sea of garbage on Thaipusam where dustbins were hard to locate like kids lost in the crowd and if you are lucky enough to find one,  you will be greatly disappointed as these bins will be extremely overflowing. The corrupted temple management is unable to solve this problem year after year.

Many assigned to serve drinks but none assigned to remove the trash

Festive air fills Batu Caves

KUALA LUMPUR -- An air of festivity filled Batu Caves as thousands of Hindus, tourists and traders thronged the famed Thaipusam spot today ahead of the festival tomorrow. Devotees flooded the Sri Subramaniyar Swami Temple as early as 8am, heads shaven before climbing up 272 steps to the temple, carrying the pal kudam, or milk pots, to fulfill their vows. A businessman from Ipoh, Dhilip Kumar, 23, said he was stunned by the beauty of Batu Caves and the festivity at the location. "This is my first time to Batu Caves, I did not expect that many Hindus to come each year. There were thousands today and perhaps by tomorrow the number will exceed a million," he told Bernama. Traffic in the area was under control by police and the Federal Reserve Unit. At mid-day, the route to Batu Caves was slow-moving, especially along the Middle Ring Road II (MRR2), to allow devotees cross the road to the temple. Karmalanita, 29, a lawyer from Melaka, said she brought a milk pot to be presented to Lord Murugan as she prayed for the peaceful departure of her husband, who passed away in an accident in November. A trader, P Gunaseelan, 59, from Gombak, came with his wife to make a vow for his child's successful heart bypass operation on Feb 23. Also known as Thaipooyam, or Thaippooyam in Malayalam, the festival observes the birthday of Lord Murugan, as well as commemorating his destruction of an evil power named Soorapadman. As in previous years, the festival in Batu Caves attracted thousands of tourists. Martin Nick, 59, an engineer from Denmark said, "This is my first time here, I'm surprised to see the big statue of Lord Murugan here, the biggest I have ever seen." Edvard Lambert, 38, a photographer from Scotland had his head shaved along with other Hindu devotees in Batu Caves to fulfill his vow to have a daughter after eight years. The festival was also an opportunity for traders at the Batu Caves, offering various items from food to clothes. -- Bernama

2 brothers died near Batu Caves NST, 07/02.12 OMBAK: A trash truck with faulty brakes rammed into a motorcycle, killing two brothers, here near the Batu Caves roundabout. Pix by Fahirul N. Ramli 1 / 1 Farouk Nor Shaharuddin, 18, and Norshahrizal Shaharuddin, 22,  were on their way to Ulu Yam recreational park with five other friends when they met with the accident. In the 1.25pm incident opposite the Batu Caves temple, the truck which was on MRR2 heading north, also hit a lorry, car and a bus before it halted. Police who were on standby for Ops Palu at the temple came immediately and sent the victims to Selayang Hospital. At 2pm, a firetruck came to clean the blood off the road.

Welfare Department blasted for Thaipusam gaffe

A message on the department's Facebook page extends Thaipusam greetings to Buddhists instead of Hindus.

PETALING JAYA: It is now the Social Welfare Department’s (JKMM) turn to become the object of ridicule among Malaysians following a cultural gaffe on its Facebook page.

The department’s Facebook status message yesterday read “Selamat Menyambut Thaipusam kpd mereka beragama Buddha” (HappyThaipusam to those who are Buddhists).

Thaipusam is celebrated by Hindus while Buddhists celebrate Wesak. The JKMM’s Facebook administrator realised the mistake and updated the status message to “Selamat Menyambut Thaipusam” (Happy Thaipusam) fifteen minutes later.

However the previous message was not removed leading to a flurry of indignant and incredulous comments from the public.

The department was slammed as “stupid”, “ignorant”, “an embarrassment” and “insensitive” with a number of commenters calling for an apology and a removal of the offending message.

“More than 50 years of independence and this is the sort of rubbish we get from a totally wasted and incompetent government,” wrote Krish Kumar.

“Perhaps (JKMM) needs to go back to school and learn which religious celebrations belong to which religion…this is seriously a disgusting display of ignorance,” said Suzanne Lazaroo.

“Ni bukan kata bodoh tapi jahil…JKM patut membuat permohonan maaf secara terbuka akibat kesilapan ni (This isn’t stupidity but ignorance…JKM should issue an open apology for this mistake),” stated Azhar Aris.

A few commenters also predicted that JKMM would follow in the footsteps of the Defence Ministry in blaming the mistake on “bad translation”.

The Defence Minstry recently found itself the laughing stock of Malaysians for blunders on its English site and pointed its finger at Google Translate.

JKMM’s faux pas comes just days after Putrajaya member of parliament, Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor, apologised for the Tamil translation and spelling errors on Thaipusam banners placed around the constituency.

The banners were taken down a day later.

‘Give us another public holiday’

Batu Caves temple president Nadarajah asks PM Najib to consider two days of public holidays for Deepavali.

SELAYANG: Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak has been urged to allow the Indian community another day off for Deepavali.

Batu Caves Sri Subramaniar Swamy Devasthanam Temple chairman R Nadarajah made this request this morning during his speech at the Thaipusam celebration here.

“I propose for an additional day of public holiday for Deepavali to enable all Malaysians to celebrate this festival more meaningfully,” said Nadarajah.

“Only then we can really call ourselves 1Malaysia. The Chinese community gets two days for Chinese New Year, Malays get two days for Hari Raya but the poor Indians only get one day.

“Make it happen and prove to the country and the world that we are truly 1Malaysia,” he told Najib, who was seated on stage during Nadarajah’s speech.

Nadarajah had earlier heaped praises on Najib and the BN administration and said if the government did more for the Indian and Hindu community, he would get more political support.

“We all like you. Definitely support you if you do all you can. I am a BN man. Live or die also we are with you, Najib. These people will definitely support you,” he said.

Nadarajah also called for the government to build an auditorium and a cultural centre at Batu Caves, besides granting more allocations for the temple and other temples around the country.