In a matter of days, the vibrant and colorful Malaysian festival Thaipusam will be celebrated by Hindus throughout the country in a grand way.

Major Lord Subramaniam (Murugan) temples in the country - at the Waterfall Gardens in Penang, Batu Caves in Selangor, and Gunong Cheroh in Ipoh - and their surroundings will be turned into a sea of devotees and visitors.

This year’s Thaipusam celebration will be an attraction of sorts for tourists from far and near as it is part of the ‘Visit Malaysia Year’ calendar event.

It is heartening to read news reports that for the coming Thaipusam celebration which falls on Jan 17, Malaysian Hindu Sangam (MHS) together with the respective temple committees and non-governmental organisations have drawn out special guidelines for all Hindu temples and devotees in a move to ensure the festival is carried out in a safe and proper manner.

Malaysians - in particular, Hindu devotees - whole-heartedly welcome the well-intended initiative taken by MHS and other NGOs in ensuring the sanctity of the religious festival is not tarnished by the actions of certain ‘thrill-seekers’.

The public is also particularly happy and grateful to note the kind of professional support and help the police force is prepared to provide to the Thaipusam orgainsing committees in ensuring the smooth running of the festival.

The direct involvement of certain high-ranking Indian police officers in the Thaipusam festival preparation is commendable and most welcome. The involvement of police personnel will not only boost the confidence of the public and the temple organising committees, but it will also go a long way in creating a closer rapport between the police and the community.

It is laudable to note that the MHS, apart from trying to protect and safeguard the sanctity of the religious festival, is also giving due consideration to create an awareness among the devotees on environmental issues such as keeping the surroundings clean of rubbish during the festival.

Discouraging use of polystyrene

Talking about environmental issues, I hope MHS and the temple committees will discourage the use of plastics, especially polystyrene. Several tons of these polystyrene food packing boxes were said to be used during Thaipusam festivals in the past. Polystyrene takes many hundreds of years to degenerate naturally and is highly toxic to the environment.

The burning of these polystyrene food packets produce poisonous gases that are detrimental to human health and the environment. Many land and marine animals have been reported to have died due to polystyrene choking or poisoning after consuming food contaminated with these polystyrene fragments in the environment.

I am aware of the many challengers faced by MHS and the temple committees with regards to bringing about a positive change among the Hindu community, especially among the younger generation. I am optimistic and confident that with the support and cooperation of the public and NGOs, MHS can bring about a meaningful and lasting change among the devotees.

In this context, it is indeed laudable to learn that the MHS in collaboration with the temple committees and NGOs, are embarking on an educational process to inculcate good religious practices within the younger generation.

In view of the fact that we are in a multiracial, multi-religious and multi-cultural society, I hope MHS will continue with its good work and take a moderate stance on issues affecting the Hindu community. To avoid being carried away with sensitive or extremist Hindu views, it’s best we place emphasis more on universal values.