SIBU: Those wanting to perform a prayer ceremony in conjunction with the ‘Hungry Ghost’ Festival on the roadside should obtain a permit from the Sibu Municipal Council (SMC).
Its chairman, Clarence Ting when chairing the SMC monthly meeting on Wednesday said that it was to ensure that those who hold the prayer ceremony will always prioritise the cleanliness aspect.
“Those who perform the prayer ceremony need to ensure that the area is cleaned and cleared of any garbage after the ceremony is over.
“SMC received complaints from the public regarding the irresponsible actions of a few parties who left the ceremonial area without being cleaned for two weeks in Bukit Lima last year.
“I went there and saw all the food that was presented for the prayer ceremony was left rotten there,” he said.
SMC has to implement this because of such an irresponsible attitude and hope that the people involved cooperate fully with SMC this year, Ting said.
“We live in a multi-racial, cultural and religious society; not everyone celebrates the Hungry Ghost Festival. Those who celebrate it need to respect and keep this public place clean,” he stressed.
There is a possibility SMC will consider banning the practice (prayer ceremony) in the future if members of the public do not clean the area after the festival, Ting pointed out.
Meanwhile, on the rabies cases in Sibu, Ting said the rabies situation here is worrying.
Hence, he urged SMC public health to work with the veterinary department to resolve the issue.
