Northern District Community Service Consultative Council members Lao Cho Chon and Chan Chi Weng said at a regular meeting of the government-appointed body yesterday that the government should strengthen the management of burning so-called “hell money” during the Hungry Ghost Festival.

Also colloquially known as “Yue Lan Festival”, some people believe that that the ghosts of one’s ancestors are let out of hell on the first day of the seventh’s month of the lunar calendar, and this year, the first day of the festival falls on September 2. Traditionally, people put out food on the streets during the night and burn afterlife paper money which is also called “hell money” and ritual offerings for the ghosts.

The regular meeting took place at the Government Services Centre in Areia Preta.

The two council members suggested that the government increase the number of barrels for people to use when they burn offerings, as some residents reported that there were not enough hell-money-burning barrels because one barrel could only be used by two people at the same time, otherwise it would cause the ancestors to take the wrong sacrificial offerings.

To avoid the chaos during the Hungry Ghost Festival, the government should delineate designated areas, which would help residents identify the places where they can worship their ancestors, they said, adding that if the areas are large enough, mobile altars could be used.

They added that the Municipal Affairs Bureau (IAM) could use its “IAM Connect”, which is an online platform allowing residents to post their views, to add temporary functions to encourage residents to report online anyone not handling the offerings properly.

According to the General Regulations Governing Public Places, citizens must burn paper offerings in appropriate containers, place food and containers properly, clean the scene after the ceremony, Lao and Chan pointed out.

Northern District Community Service Consultative Council members attend a regular meeting at the Government Services Centre in Areia Preta yesterday. Photo: Nicole Iun