JOHOR BARU: The Hungry Ghost Festival has not stopped voters from heading out for night ceramah during campaigning for the two by-elections in Johor.
According to Taoist beliefs, the annual festival, which falls from Aug 16 to Sept 14 this year, is a month-long period when the spirits of the dead roam the living world. This is a time when the gates of hell are supposedly open for 29 days.
Among the dos and don’ts are staying away from large bodies of water, refraining from whistling at night and avoiding hanging out laundry at night.
Accounting executive Lee Heng Mei, 50, said these beliefs would not stop her from attending night ceramah.
The Pulai constituent said since nomination day on Aug 26, she has attended two night events and plans to go for more before the Sept 9 polling day.
“I am not pantang (superstitious) about these things so I did not give them much thought.
“Furthermore, there are many people around, so there is nothing to be afraid of,” said the mother of one when interviewed.
The Pulai parliamentary seat will see a three-cornered fight between Pakatan Harapan’s Suhaizan Kaiat, Perikatan Nasional’s Zulkifli Yahya and Independent candidate Samsudin Mohamad Fauzi.
Lee said she had not paid much attention to politics before this but felt that the Pulai by-election was a good place to start as it concerned her neighbourhood.
“I have been tagging along with my husband, who is more into politics, to listen to talks so that I get a better understanding of current issues and also to get into the election mood.
“I want to listen to what the candidates have to say. Things are quite mild so far, but I believe it will get more intense as we head into the second week of campaigning,” she said.
Businessman Marcus Ng, 56, said the Hungry Ghost Festival had no bearing on his decision to stay out late.
“I am not worried about the spirits as I have done my due diligence of giving food offerings and prayers on the first day of the festival. I will do another round at the end of the month,” he said.
“What is more important is the country’s state of affairs and I hope the next Pulai MP can address pressing issues such as improving the economy and cutting unnecessary bureaucracy,” he added.
