However, the celebration may be held in Perlis and Sarawak, which are states under the recovery movement control order. So far, only the Perlis government has decided to allow the holding of the Thaipusam celebration in the state.

The national unity ministry in a statement today said the decision to call off the celebration was made in line with the announcement by Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin on Jan 11 on the implementation of the MCO and CMCO from Jan 13 to Jan 26.

The MCO involves Penang, Selangor, Melaka, Johor, Sabah and the three Federal Territories of Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya and Labuan and the CMCO in Pahang, Perak, Negeri Sembilan, Kedah, Terengganu and Kelantan.

On Jan 15, senior minister for security and defence minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob announced the enforcement of the MCO in Sibu, Sarawak and in Kelantan, effective Jan 16 to Jan 29.

Thaipusam falls on Jan 28. It is a public holiday in Selangor, Johor, Negeri Sembilan, Penang, Perak, Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya.

National unity minister Halimah Mohamed Sadique said the decision was made after consultation with Hindu religious heads.

Halimah said her ministry was informed of the decision by the state governments, except the Perlis government, for Thaipusam celebrations not to be held at temples.