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Why do I feel like being insulted? Can’t I have freedom to read and decide for myself what to believe? Are people like me soooo stupid? This is the repeated mistake being made by those in charge. No wonder people trust the Internet and SMS from their friends more than newspapers, since everything is controlled.

Subra now has a big problem. His political mouthpiece is gone. Now have to go and beg from Syed Hamid. Maybe Samy may want to help out his buddy-again Subra? Continue Reading »

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A memorandum was submitted to the Home Affairs Ministry in the 1970s outlining the various difficulties faced by Malaysian temples and gurdwaras in employing local priests and musicians. "Following the submission of the memorandum, a new policy was formulated by the Home Affairs Ministry in 1984 stating that Hindu and Sikh priests from India shall be considered to stay in Malaysia for a maximum period of seven years, and musicians for a maximum period of five years, to be renewed on an annual basis," he said.

- even if we assume 1979 as submission year, it took 4 YEARS to establish the new policy!
- renewal on annual basis. So if 7 years from 1984, it is 1991. For the last 16 years, there have been annual renewals for priests.

He added that it was not possible to train Malaysians to become priests because they had to be vegetarians and teetotallers.

- meaning generally local Hindus not fit to be priests? Can we say out of every 10 Hindus, 6 consume alcohol, while 9 are non-vegetarian?

The salary offered was also low, only about RM500 monthly.

- last time maybe yes. Now with so many prayers from birth to death, priests can earn quite well.

Subra: Consult before making policy changes

source

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Minister Radzi says no such thing, but his secretary say there is shorter renewal period as claimed by MCCBCHST.

He also denied an allegation by the Malaysian Consultative Council of Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Sikhism and Taoism that the Immigation Department had given renewal permits of six months to priests, three months to temple musicians and a week to sculptors.

http://www.hindusangam.org.my/news/index.php?id=72

9TH January 2008
PRESS RELEASE

Temples Visa Issues – Hindu Sangam Acts
The President of Malaysia Hindu Sangam, Datuk A. Vaithilingam met senior officials of Ministry of Home Affairs and discussed the issue of work permit being given to Hindu temple workers by having their visas renewed to a shorter period than the normal schedule. During the discussion with a senior official of the Ministry En. Mat Sor Udin, Senior Secretary of the Minister, he explained that all those who had their renewal for a shorter period as mentioned above can appeal to the Minister of Home Affairs for reconsideration.

In view of this Malaysia Hindu Sangam (MHS) calls upon all the leaders of temples affected by this exercise to make their appeals and immediately contact the MHS for its recommendation. It has been confirmed that the MHS will be the only coordinating body for Hindus in Malaysia to submit their recommendations to be forwarded to the Ministry of Home Affairs as has been the practice all the time.

The MHS calls upon the Hindu community to remain calm over this issue because the Ministry officials have shown their concern to solve this issue in a satisfactory manner. We must also appreciate the necessity for the Ministry to go through their own process for proper investigation before making their decision.

Those temples which have only obtained 7 days extension of their work permit renewal for their temple sculptors should immediately appeal and get the recommendation letter from MHS tomorrow at Malaysia Hindu Sangam Head Quarters, No.67, Jalan PJS 1/48, Taman Petaling Utama 7, 46150 Petaling Jaya between 10.00 AM – 6.00 PM. The temple representatives must bring all their relevant documents when they come to our office. For more information please contact Datuk A.Vaithilingam (012-297 0765), Mr. R. Thiagaraja (012-692 5036), Mr. V.Govindarajah (013-323 2167) or Ms. Saraswathy (Office Numbers: 03-7784 4668/4669/4244).

Thank you,

Yours in service,

Datuk A.Vaithilingam
President
Malaysia Hindu Sangam

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