CHIEF Minister Chow Kon Yeow today joined about 300 Hindu devotees to celebrate the Ponggal Festival organised by the Batu Kawan parliamentary constituency and the Sri Muniswarar Temple at the latter’s premises in Perai.
The Ponggal Festival, which was celebrated for the 10th time at the temple, is a traditional practice of people of Indian descent to celebrate rice harvest day.
“Ponggal is celebrated by Hindus in all corners of Penang.
“Although Islam is the official religion of the country, the Federal Constitution guarantees the freedom of practice of other religions and their respective cultures.
“This is our strength as evidenced in over 60 years of Merdeka.
“We respect each other’s religion,” Chow, who is also the Batu Kawan MP, said in his speech during a dinner after witnessing several activities at the Ponggal Festival at the temple grounds.
He added that the Ponggal Festival at the Sri Muniswarar Temple in Jalan Baru, Perai, was one of the biggest Ponggal celebrations he has ever witnessed.
Chow also congratulated all the participants who came from far and near to take part in the various activities, like the ponggal cooking contest, colouring contest for children and kolam painting.
Chow continued: “Penang is a fantastic state and is blessed with so many NGOs (non-governmental organisations) that are working together with the government.
“Our agenda to bring about peace, harmony and development will always be carried out for the benefit of the rakyat.
“No government will be able to do all that without the help of the NGOs.”
Chow also agreed with Deputy Chief Minister II Prof Dr P. Ramasamy, who was also at the ceremony, that the state government would do its best to help the temple build a car park on a 9-acre site.
In conjunction with today’s celebration, the temple also donated food to the 300 devotees present and announced a total donation of RM78,000 to some Indian organisations and individuals.
Chow was invited to present the cheques to the recipients.
The recipients are as follows: Sri Maha Mariamman Temple, Ladang Pyre (RM30,000); Penang Hindu Association (RM12,000); Student Aid Grant (RM12,000 for 12 students); Persatuan Penganut Dewi Sri Maha Kaliamman Ladang Kerian Bukit Panchor, Nibong Tebal (RM10,000); Hindu Dharma Maamandram (Women’s Section Bukit Mertajam) (RM5,000); Hindu Dharma Maamandram (Penang) (RM5,000); Malaysia Hindu Sangam (MHS) Penang State Council (RM5,000); Malaysia Hindu Sangam (MHS) Seberang Jaya Local Council (RM1,000); and Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Perai (RM3,000).
Sri Muniswarar Temple’s former chairman Datuk Seri N. Gobalakrishnan, who is now the temple board trustee chairman and also the president of the Malaysian Indian Associated Chamber of Commerce and Industry, later acknowledged a few people for their outstanding services to the Indian community.
They were Penang Hindu Association president P. Murugiah Mohan, T. Ramachandran from Pothu Bhajanai Kulu, Raja Lekchimi from Hindu Dharma Mandaram and retired SKJT Mak Mandin headmaster K. Rajamanickam.
They received plaques from Chow, who presented them on behalf of the temple.
Also present were Bagan Dalam assemblyman M. Satees, Sri Muniswarar Temple chairman Major (H) Segaran, temple vice-chairman T. Veeriah, and MBSP councillor David Marshel.
Story by K.H. Ong
Pix by Siew Chia En
Video by Siti Nuratikah Rahmat