SHAH ALAM, Jan 14 —The Indian community in Selangor celebrating Ponggal festival today are advised to do it in moderation with family members.
Selangor Non-Islamic Affairs Standing Committee co-chairman V Ganabatirau said this is due to the need to comply with the standard operating procedure (SOP) following the enforcement of the movement control order (MCO) in the state to curb Covid-19.
“This year’s Ponggal celebration is quite different because our country is undergoing a pandemic situation.
“In fact, the daily cases are so high that the government had to implement MCO in several states to curb the spread of the pandemic,” said Ganabatirau in a statement yesterday.
He also wished a Happy Ponggal to all who celebrate the festival and had called upon all Malaysians to respect and appreciate the diversity that exists in the country.
“We are lucky to live in a multi-racial and multi-religious society as well as to have our own culture, traditions and customs that became a source of strength for a plural society.
“Therefore, I call on all of us to work together and unite in the spirit of perseverance by complying with the SOP as well as sharing the joy of the Ponggal festival,” he said.
