Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim visited Batu Caves to review Thaipusam arrangements, focusing on safety and services for the major Hindu festival
KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim visited Batu Caves this afternoon to check out the preparations for the Thaipusam celebration, which will be observed by Hindu devotees this Sunday.
The visit focused on the Sri Subramaniar Swamy Temple complex at Batu Caves, the main focal point for devotees from within and outside the country during Thaipusam.
Anwar arrived at about 2.30 pm and was received by Digital Minister Gobind Singh Deo, Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri R. Ramanan, Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari, and temple management officials, before touring key areas.
These include the procession routes, as well as ministry and agency booths at the MADANI Thaipusam site, which offer services such as health screenings for visitors.
During the hour-long visit, Anwar also interacted with devotees and volunteers involved in the preparations and attended a briefing with organisers to ensure the celebration proceeds smoothly and safely.
The annual chariot procession from the Sri Maha Mariamman Temple in Jalan Tun H.S. Lee to Batu Caves, scheduled for 9 pm tonight, will mark the start of Thaipusam.
To facilitate the procession, 12 road junctions around the capital will be closed or diverted in stages, including Jalan Leboh Ampang/Jalan Perak, Jalan Tun Perak/Jalan Pudu, Jalan Tun Tan Cheng Lock/Jalan Sultan, Jalan Sultan/Jalan Hang Jebat, and Jalan Sultan/Jalan Petaling.
