Reopening of Malaysian Temples Will Be Gradual

KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA, June 16, 2020 (New Strait Times): Religious associations and temple managements say there is no rush in reopening places of worship as they wish to avoid any potential Covid-19 clusters. For Malaysian Hindu Sangam (MHS) president Datuk R.K. Mohan Shan, the demand to reopen was dependent on the devotees who had not been able to fulfill their religious obligations. “Although the National Security Council (NSC) has given the go-ahead to reopen the temples, we are worried that the decision, if made in haste, may not serve the purpose. “We don’t want to have a temple cluster because of the rush,” he told the New Straits Times.

Mohan said many of the temple management and committees registered with MHS had voiced similar concerns. “Temple managements are ready to follow and comply with the standard operating procedures (SOP) like houses of worship can only take in one-third of their usual capacity and attendees must download the MySejahtera application. “And the temple must also make sure that SOP is adhered by the worshippers, such as social distancing and taking temperature before joining the congregation. “But we still need to wait for the SOP that the National Unity Ministry is currently drafting.”