COMMENT BY YB PROF DR P.RAMASAMY, DEPUTY CHIEF MINISTER II, PENANG
Kedah MB Muhammed Sanusi Md Nor’s special officer for Indian Affairs, B.K. Kumarasan agreed that there is no need for Thaipusam holiday.
Since the holiday in Kedah is not a gazetted one but renewed every year, it depends on the discretion of the state to give it or not.
Kumarasan agreed with Sanusi that since the movement control order (MCO) is in force to contain the Covid-19 pandemic, there is no need for the holiday.
Since the Thaipusam holiday in Kedah is given at the discretion of the state, the pandemic has made it meaningless to have the holiday.
Furthermore, since the schools are closed, families can offer their Thaipusam prayers at home without the need for a holiday.
He also hinted that the holiday could be used as an additional holiday for Deepavali.
It is strange that Kumarasan who is suppose to advise the Sanusi on the matter has miserably failed to represent the Hindus in Kedah.
What is more he slavishly went along and justified the decision of Sanusi to cancel the Thaipusam holiday.
It is completely meaningless to have sycophant like Kumarasan to be appointed to advice Sanusi on matters of try Indian community.
When a party like PAS appoints Indians as advisors, then it is pretty obvious about their standing in the community.
They would not have the dignity or independence to represent the Indian community effectively.
PAS’ Indian affairs officials are disgrace to say the least. If Kumarasan cannot even defend the cultural and religious rights of Indians, he should at least maintain a dignified silence.
But he has miserably failed by “selling out” the rights of the Indian community.
It still not too late, if he some dignity left, he should tend his resignation at once.
