Cops beef up security for Thaipusam

HULU SELANGOR: Police have assured devotees and visitors to the Thaipusam celebrations at Batu Caves that they will beef up security to prevent any untoward incidents.
Selangor police chief Commissoner Datuk Abdul Samah Mat (pix) said there will be about 2,000 police personnel on guard and to control traffic during Thaipusam in Batu Caves on Feb 9.
"We believe our manpower is sufficient for the celebration. We are here to instill confidence in the people that police are prepared and ready to face any eventualities," he said during a police function in Kuala Langat district police headquarters here today.
Abdul Samah was responding to a question of police having arrested the creator of the "Thaipusam spraying group" that warned women to dress appropriately during the Hindu festival.
He said the suspect, a 29-year-old man from Seberang Jaya, Penang, was arrested at around 9.20pm on Jan 26.
"We have concluded the investigation and will be forwarding the investigation papers (IP) to the deputy public prosecutor today," he added.
On its Facebook page, the group had warned women to dress appropriately during Thaipusam.
It also posted pictures of women in bareback saree blouses with a comment: "Advance warning to Hindu female patrons coming to Thaipusam festival, beware of being sprayed with aerosal (sic) paint if found inappropriately dressed ..."
Abdul Samah urged the public not to believe such information and refrain from sharing it with others as it causes undue fear and anxiety among the people.
Meanwhile, on a shrine that has received brickbats online for having a dome reminiscent to a mosque, Abdul Samah said police are working closely with the Klang Municipal Council (MPK) on the issue.
"We can't comment on the issue for now because MPK is handling it at the moment and I advise the public and social media users not to speculate," he said.
A local daily today had reported Klang District and Land Office as saying that the shrine was an illegal structure, as it was built on government land and road reserve.
Klang district officer Mohd Zainal Mohd Nor had said the owner had violated Section 425 and 426A(1)(c) of the National Land Code for unlawful occupation of state land.
The shrine, painted yellow with a green dome and a crescent moon on top, is located at Jalan Makyong in Bukit Raja, Klang.