TAWAU: Hindus in the district hope the state government would declare Thaipusam a public holiday in Sabah to enable more members of the community to celebrate together.
According to Tawau Hindu Temple president Nokiah Sannasi, people from different backgrounds, beliefs and religions would be able to share the celebration if Thaipusam were declared a holiday.
“It is a dream for us all for Thaipusam to be declared a public holiday in Sabah,” he said, adding that currently four states – Perak, Kedah, Selangor and Perak – observe Thaipusam Day a public holiday.
He added that those who work in the government, including teachers, police and other public servants would be able to celebrate the Hindu religion with others.
Speaking to reporters during the Thaipusam celebration here yesterday, he said a special committee had been formed to send the holiday request to the state government.
On the celebration, he said 30 people carried the kavadi, while 120 devotees carried paal kudam (milk pots), the largest in the history of the celebration in Tawau.
The devotees carried paal kudam and decorative kavadi from the river bank at Mile 3, Jalan Kuhara to the Thirumurugan Temple walking for about two kilometres.
He added that more than 400 devotees and their families from Sandakan, Ranau, Lahad Datu and Kunak gathered at the Thirumurugan temple here to offer prayers and take part in the Thaipusam celebration.
Meanwhile, Nokiah disclosed that the Thirumurugan Temple here needs RM300,000 for renovation and he hoped that the state government would assist in the rcost.
According to him, it has become a custom and tradition for the temple to go through phases of renovation when it reaches 12 years old and for the Thirumurugan Temple it will be next year.
He said they were expecting the Thaipusam celebration to be bigger next year and thanked the government for contributing RM50,000 to the temple in December last year.
Nokiah said he was grateful and thankful for contribution as it proved the government is also concerned about the Hindus in the country.