The Penang Hindu Endowment Board (PHEB) will be on the lookout for spray-painting vigilantes, come Thaipusam.

PHEB chairperson P Ramasamy said the board would be meeting the police next week and speak about the 'Thaipusam Spraying group', which is out to create trouble.

"We have never had issues with women dressing inappropriately during Thaipusam.

"Why is there, suddenly, this group calling themselves vigilantes, who want to spray paint on women?" asked the Penang Deputy Chief Minister II.

Dubbing the group bullies, cowards, and extremists, Ramasamy said they would be breaking the law if they proceeded with their spray-painting plans.

The group, started by one Henry Barnabas on Facebook, has more than 620 members to date.

It warned women to cover up and not wear revealing saree blouses during the Hindu religious festival which falls on Feb 9.

Thaipusam in Penang is annually frequented by more than one million visitors from all over the country and around the world.

'Why not start by spraying on me?'

Ramasamy warned the group that appropriate measures would be taken to ensure Thaipusam in the state is celebrated in a peaceful manner.

He also issued a challenge: "“Why not start by spraying on me?"

If the group was really concerned about women dressing indecently during Thaipusam, it should speak to PHEB, he added.

"Who is this Henry Barnabas? Why is he hiding behind a Christian name? please identify your real self," he said.

Ramasamy pointed out that vigilantes usually appear to fight for justice and peace when the law is broken, but in this case, there was absolutely no need for such acts.

"We have the temple committee, the Hindu Sangam, the police and security to keep things in order. Why is there a need for vigilantes?"