State Housing, Local Government, Town and Country Planning Committee chairman Jagdeep Singh Deo donated RM5,000 to the Mahindarama Buddhist Temple in Jalan Kampar, George Town in conjunction of Wesak Day today.
With devotees not allowed into temples for the festival and a strict ‘no-go’ for the usual Buddha-decorated float procession under the MCO 3.0 with tightened standard operating procedures (SOPs), Jagdeep decided to put smiles on the faces of the representatives from the temple through this contribution.
“It is truly a challenging period for all, especially with new Covid-19 cases showing no signs of slowing down at the moment.
“On any normal day without the existence of the pandemic, Wesak Day would have been graced by so many devotees across the country by active participation in big-scale rituals and processions at temples.
“But due to the unprecedented situation, sacrifices like these are crucial to curb further spread of the infections.
“This is just a small contribution from me, and it is hoped the temple would do the needful and assist the needy around this area,” Jagdeep told the reporters during his visit to the Mahindarama Buddhist Temple in Jalan Kampar, George Town today.
It is learnt that the RM5,000 donation was from Jagdeep’s Datuk Keramat assemblyman allocation.
The National Unity Ministry (KPN) on May 21 had approved several other SOPs which include only allowing the chief monk and 10 committee members to attend rituals at the temples and only one ritual session per temple, between 6am and 2pm.
Also present during the visit were George Town deputy OCPD Supt V. Saravanan and the temple’s vice-chairman Dr D. Surya.
Story by Kevin Vimal
Pix by Alissala Thian