Jan 05 2008
Rest in Peace Hindu Sangam
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Hindu Sangam to Khir: What about us? |
| Jan 5, 08 5:00pm |
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The Malaysia Hindu Sangam (MHS) is the rightful body for the Selangor state government to consult in regards to Hindu temples, said its deputy president Thiagaraja Ratnasamy today. Thiagaraja was responding to news reports that Selangor Menteri Besar Dr Mohd Khir Toyo had a meeting “700 temple representatives” to discuss the controversial state demolition of temples. Formed in 1965, MHS is the biggest Hindu temple umbrella group in the country and had a track record of handling such issues, said Thiagaraja. This includes liaising with the late K Sivalingam who was a Selangor state exco member in charge of non-Muslim affairs and drawing guidelines for Kuala Lumpur City Hall regarding demolition of temples. “Before the Menteri Besar implements any guidelines in Selangor, he must first have an actual and meaningful dialogue with the actual representatives of temples. “With 1,802 temples nationwide as members of the MHS, it would appear that we are best placed to assist the state government in this,” said Thiagaraja in a statement today. Politically motivated? MHC is headed by Jalan Bandar Maha Mariamman temple and Batu Caves temple president R Nadarajah. Nadarajah is a notable businessman who is also known for his close links with MIC president S Samy Vellu. The meeting with the temple representatives was facilitated by the MHC yesterday, where Khir announced that the state government would not demolish any Hindu temples over the next six months. During that time frame, the temple committees within Selangor have to form a self-regulatory body to deal directly with the state government on erecting, demolishing and relocating temples. Observers note that the move by MHS and Khir to set up the committee was likely to drum up support for the Barisan Nasional in the upcoming general election. |
MIC to set up council of Hindu temples
BERNAMA
KUALA LUMPUR, Sat.:
The MIC will set up a Council of Hindu Temples in every state to protect the temples and resolve their problems through the state governments, MIC president Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu said today.
The formation of the council comes just weeks after Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi instructed Samy Vellu to list the number of temples in the country and identify their problems.
Samy Vellu, who is Works Minister, said the council would be chaired by the state executive councillors from the MIC or the state party chiefs. “The MIC considers the demolition of temples as a very serious political matter and it requires consultations from various parties,” he said in a statement.
As such, the council would be tasked with several functions, among others, to safeguard temples and to protect the integrity of the Hindu religion; to register temples which comply with the requirements; and to obtain permanent and suitable alternative sites for temples. Samy Vellu said that if a temple was found to have been built on private or government land, the council would seek an alternative and suitable site for it. “The council will also ascertain that the plans for all the temples have been submitted to the local authorities to prevent future problems. The council will get the approval for the plans once they have been submitted,” he said.
However, it would not interfere in the running of the temple or its administration, he added. The council, he said, would list the number of temples in a locality and compile the problems faced by these temples.
The first meeting on the formation of the council was held in Perak last Dec 27, attended by 750 temple heads and chaired by Samy Vellu. He said the Selangor MIC organised another meeting yesterday which was attended by Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Khir Toyo and more than 1,000 temple heads. “I will chair another meeting of temple heads from the Federal Territory on Jan 13,” he said, adding that many cases of temple demolitions are confined to Kuala Lumpur. Samy Vellu said that without political support, the fate of temples, especially those built illegally would be in limbo.
THE STAR: MIC to set up council for temples
PETALING JAYA: A Council of Hindu Temples will be set up in every state by the MIC to protect and resolve problems through the state governments. In a statement Saturday, MIC president Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu said the council would be chaired by state executive councillors from the party or state MIC chiefs. "The MIC considers the demolition of temples as a very serious political matter and it requires consultation with various parties," he said.
He said the council would be given several duties including safeguarding temples, protecting the integrity of Hinduism, registering temples that comply with the requirements and obtaining permanent and suitable alternative sites for temples. He added that if a temple is found to be built on private or government land, the Council would seek an alternative suitable land for the temple concerned.
"The Council will also ascertain if the plans for all the temples have been submitted to the local authorities to prevent future problems. The Council will get the approval for the plans once it has been submitted," he said.
Samy added the Council would not interfere in the running and administration of the temple. Nor would it control or take over the temple committee's tasks. It would, however, list the number of temples in a locality and compile problems they faced, he said.
The next meeting of temple heads from the Federal Territory is scheduled for Jan 13.
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