Penang Deputy Chief Minister II P Ramasamy has criticised the organiser of this year’s Penang Run for being “highly insensitive” to the feelings and sentiments of Hindus.

This is because the organiser, ActifeStyle, had planned and organised the run the day after Deepavali, on Oct 30.

Ramasamy noted that the Penang Island City Council (MBPP) was supporting the run.

“I am asking the organiser to postpone the run to a later date, and I am also asking the MBPP to disassociate from supporting ActifeStyle,” Ramasamy said in a statement.

“I have asked the organiser, ActifeStyle to apologise to Indians in the state,” added the DAP Prai assemblyperson.

Ramasamy recalled that there was a similar incident in 2013 when the state government was criticised for organising the Penang Run on the day of Thaipusam.

However, the state government had categorically denied that it was involved in organising the event, Ramasamy reminded.

He said similarly, the state government was being criticised by the opposition (BN) for being insensitive to Indians because the Penang Run is taking place a day after Deepavali.

“Contrary to the opposition, such a small incident cannot render us of being insensitive to the culture and religious sentiments of Indians,” Ramasamy said.

He said while a mistake had taken place, the state government would not run away from its responsibility.

He vowed to ensure that in future, events would not be organised during major festive seasons.

“The seasons include Deepavali, Hari Raya Aidilfitri, Chinese New Year or Christmas, as a mark of respect to the multiracial and multireligious character of Malaysia,” Ramasamy added.

Nevertheless, Penang Gerakan had chided the state government for allegedly allowing the event to take place at the Esplanade, saying it would bring “negative impact” to the community.

Party youth wing vice-chief Puvaniten accused the DAP of "double standards" as Ramasamy had chastised then organisers of the Penang Run in 2013 for planning the event during Thaipusam.

Former joint organisers of the event were Tanjung Social Club, Penang Forward Sports Club, Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) and the Department of Youths and Sports, Penang.

Puvaniten recalled that former DAP Socialist Youth chief Ng Wei Aik had demanded that Gerakan apologise for the event although the party was not involved in the matter.

“Don’t think that the people have forgotten what was said by Ramasamy and Ng, three years ago," he said at a press conference today.

“They seem to have forgotten what they had said, but then, this seems to be the normal behaviour of those who like to temberang (bluff) to confuse the people,” Puvaniten said.

“The Penang government should walk the talk and stop the habit of lying,” he added.

Puvaniten also recalled that during the incident, Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng had remarked that those who wished to use the word “Penang” in their events must obtain the prior approval of the state government.