The Consumers Association of Penang (CAP) and several non-governmental organisations (NGOs) today urged the authorities to ban the sale of alcohol during Thaipusam which will be celebrated on Feb 7.

CAP education officer NV Subbarow said in the past few years during Thaipusam, several restaurants, shops and stalls took the opportunity to sell alcohol along the road where chariots and the kavadi procession take place.

“Thaipusam is a religious festival. Such alcohol sale not only causes uneasiness and creates a nuisance to devotees but is also a disgrace to the whole festival,” he told reporters in George Town today.  

Meanwhile, Malaysian Hindu Sangam George Town Branch president V Palanisamy said the Customs Department should also play their role by curbing all unhealthy activities around areas where Thaipusam was celebrated.

- Bernama