Archive for January, 2008

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Penang Hindu Endowments Board replies

January 15th, 2008
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The Hindu Board replies to attacks on its status.

Said Kumaraendran: "The board has never been a political tool of the ruling coalition. (Its) commissioners and temple management committee-members have always been appointed based on merit and (their) credentials, (not) political affiliation as alleged."

 

They are all appointed by the state governor on the advice of the state government based on their track-record as persons of high esteem in the society.”

– wonder how they define merit and credentials. Based on the track record?

Penang Hindu Board 'not BN political tool'
http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/77039
Athi Veeranggan | Jan 15, 08 2:37pm

The Penang Hindu Endowments Board has defended itself against allegations that it has become a political tool of the MIC and Gerakan in Penang and that it is acting beyond its powers.

K Kumaraendran rebutted the claim that political considerations have been the yardstick for the appointment of commissioners and committee- members, who manage the five temples in the state. 

A commissioner and lawyer, he was commenting on a Malaysiakini report last Friday, in which United Hindu Religious Council president G Mugunthan had alleged there is rampant political meddling in the annual appointments. 

Said Kumaraendran: "The board has never been a political tool of the ruling coalition. (Its) commissioners and temple management committee-members have always been appointed based on merit and (their) credentials, (not) political affiliation as alleged.

"They are all appointed by the state governor on the advice of the state government based on their track-record as persons of high esteem in the society.”

Hindu endowments belonging to the hilltop Waterfall Temple – Sri Balathandayuthabani Kovil (photo) – Sri Ramar Kovil in Dhoby Ghaut, Sri Kunj Bihari Krishan Mandir, Sri Maha Mariamman Kovil in Lebuh Queen and Sri Maha Mariamman Kovil in Butterworth are administered by the board.

Under the Hindu Endowment Ordinance, the state governor on the advice of the state executive council appoints a board of commissioners, one of whom must be a government officer.

The board then sets up an endowment management committee consisting of members of public professing the religion applicable to the endowments – in this case, Hinduism.

'Orderly festivals'

According to Mugunthan, political-based appointments of commissioners have become a norm since the 1980s.

Even the board chairperson is a politician, he said, referring to former MIC state chairpersons T Suppiah and K Rajapathy, and current state deputy chairperson PK Subbaiyah.

Over the years many MIC division leaders and prominent Gerakan Indian leaders have been appointed as commissioners. 

Reliable sources had claimed that Penang Chief Minister Dr Koh Tsu Koon (photo ) has insisted on "his men from Gerakan" being appointed.

Kumaraendran also refuted the allegation that the board had overstepped its jurisdiction.
The board is entrusted with managing the temples and their endowments and to organise their religious festivals, he noted.

In this respect, it has a legal obligation to ensure that religious festivals are celebrated in correct and orderly manner.

This involves implementing measures to regulate tanneer panthal (refreshment booths) and installing a centralised system to control the type of music played during Thaipusam each year.

"Various quarters have commended the board for its actions to bring more order into Hindu religious festivals," he added.

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International Ponggal Festival at KL Tower

January 15th, 2008
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Having confirmed that the International Ponggal Festival was on 15th, I decided to attend it today. First time to Menara KL as well, so took the chance to go up the tower. More on that later.

I reached the tower at 9.45am , was at the observatory till 10.30am. It was blazing hot. By the way, parking is RM2.65 per hour, in case you wonder. The preparation for the festival was going on. The organisers were moving about – registering participants, arranging the pots and so on.

The function was organised by Putera MIC, under Mr Kamalanathan.

The crowd began to trickle in around 10.45am, mostly students (including foreigners) from local universities like UM and UNISEL. There were few families, and few tourists as well. I estimated that there were between 80 to 100 pots available, but about a quarter of them were not taken. The organizers asked those that had 4 people in a team to break up into two-per-team. Maybe being a weekday caused less participation.

The crowd was enthusiastic – most started the fire and poured the milk, until the organizer had to ask them to wait for the VIP. VIP was none other than MIC Chief Dato Seri Samy Vellu. He came in at around 11.15am .

There was a welcoming dance – a classical one – performed by malay dancers (as highlighted by the MC), followed by speech from Mr Kamalanathan.

This was followed by another dance. I can’t remember if Samy Vellu gave a speech, since I was busy snapping photos. I only heard Samy Vellu being invited to launch the festival by pouring milk in the pot – the first step in making “ponggal”.

Samy Vellu then went around and talked to the participants. The participants were quite jovial and some posed for photographs. The walkabout took around 15 minutes.

The participants were busy tending to their pots, hoping to be the first to have the milk boil and overspill. There were cries of “Ponggalo Ponggal” denoting that participants managed to get it right. The event went on till about 12pm, at which I left the venue.

 

Overall, it was good program, though it could have started a bit early to avoid the afternoon sun. I was expecting a larger crowd, so a bit surprised at the crowd. It also reminded me of the ponggal festival we used to organize while in university those days. Sigh….those were the days!

Photos are at Picasa.

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Ponggal Valthukel

January 15th, 2008
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Yesterday was Boghi, so naturally today is….Ponggal!!!

My day did not start to my liking. Found out that the India trip has to be postponed indefinitely, maybe till next year. Hmm….what to do during Chinese New Year now?

Anyway, I had planned to attend the International Ponggal Festival 2008 which was held at KL Tower (Menara KL). So, made my way to KL early in the morning. Had breakfast while texting everyone Ponggal wishes. The festival was from 10.30am till 12pm.

Not sure if Then’s planning to cook ponggal….have to keep my fingers crossed.

Oh ya….wishing everyone Ponggal valthukel (Ponggal wishes)!

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Making money via eBay

January 15th, 2008
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eBay way to earn a living

source

KUALA LUMPUR: Chris Chan is a 30-year-old graduate who, like many in her generation, says no to a 9-to-5 office regime and refuses to be a slave to money. 

Instead, she is trying to combine work with a balanced life. She has found a suitable income-generating way by selling through eBay. “I earn about US$1,000 (about RM3,300) a month selling collectibles on eBay. I own my time and I can combine my love for travel with work, since I do need to go overseas to source for supplies,” she said. “Selling through eBay is something a person can do to earn an income. Just like any other business, one will need to invest time, money and energy if one wants to make it big,” said Chan, an architecture graduate from Australia. 

Chan started selling on eBay during her student days in Australia to earn pocket money. She first started by putting her used handbags and other things on sale online. 

“My first sale was exhilarating. It was a pleasant surprise that others actually wanted to buy things I had used. From then, I was interested in eBay business and went through their online course to be a certified power seller,” said Chan. The certification also allows her to train others on the art of selling professionally and ethically on eBay. 

Chan will be sharing her experience at a talk How to Earn Extra Income via eBay and Google at the MCA 9-point party exhibition to be held at Putra World Trade Centre from Jan 18 to Jan 20. Her talk is on Jan 19. Chan commended MCA for organising the exhibition and for recognising eBay as an income-generating source and taking advantage of the Internet boom. 

Another speaker on Jan 19 is Sean Lee, CEO and director of Oscar Wealth Advisory Sdn Bhd, who will talk on “Money Works @ Wealth Management”. The talk that will be in English is scheduled to begin at 11am. Among the topics he will cover are “Do you have a chance to be a millionaire?”, “How money works instead of just chasing it”, “Total wealth management” and “How to optimise your investment”. The talk will include steps on how to plan your wealth, and the do’s and don’ts in financial planning. Lee is a licensed financial planner with 15 years of experience under his belt. More information can be found at http://www.oscarwealth.com.

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Ponggal message from MIC and PPP

January 15th, 2008
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“When we speak with one voice, we will achieve our goals. When we act with one determination, nothing can stop us from fulfilling our dreams.”

– like what Hindraf rally did?

Palanivel said Indians came to this blessed country not hoping that someone would give them "free money", but to work hard and create a better future for themselves and future generations.

– meaning there are people in this country getting free money, but others cannot expect the same?

Speak with one voice, Indians told

source

PETALING JAYA: Malaysian Indians must unite for the good of everyone because it is the key to their future, MIC president Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu said yesterday. 

He said they must work as a team and not allow themselves to become tools of those who wish to split the community for their own agenda.  “There are many more things to be done, many more challenges to overcome,” he said in a press statement in conjunction with Ponggal festival, which begins today.  

“When we speak with one voice, we will achieve our goals. When we act with one determination, nothing can stop us from fulfilling our dreams.”  

He added the party would never bow to pressure because the MIC existed solely for the well-being of the Indian community.  

Samy Vellu said the community must appreciate all opportunities given to them and make full use of them. “As we work towards attaining our dreams and goals, we must not forget those who are in need of help – the poor and the disabled,” he said. 

Samy Vellu: Let's unite to harvest good future

source

KUALA LUMPUR: Harvest a good future through unity.

That, in essence, is Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu's Ponggal message to Malaysians, especially those of Indian origin. As unity is the key to a good future, the MIC president urged them to be united and strengthen their ties to work as a team, and with one voice.

"We must not allow ourselves to become tools of those who wish to split the community for their own agenda," Samy Vellu, who is also works minister, said yesterday.

Ponggal (Harvest Festival), which will be observed by Malaysian Hindus today, is a celebration to thank God for a good harvest and offer gratitude to nature.

"There are many more things to be done, many more challenges to overcome. So, let us unite for the good of everyone. Unity is our strength. "When we speak with one voice, we will achieve our goals. When we act with one determination, nothing can stop us from fulfilling our dreams," Samy Vellu said in a statement.

In this context, he added, the MIC would continue to safeguard the rights and interests of all Indians in the country, and "we will never fall because we know the people are behind us".

He said the largest Indian-based political party in the country would not bow to any pressure from any quarters because it believed that its sole existence is for the well-being of Malaysians of Indian origin. "We will continue to fight for the betterment of our community and nation. This is our pledge, this is our mission and this is our destiny," added Samy Vellu.

Meanwhile, MIC deputy president Datuk G. Palanivel, in his Ponggal message, urged Malaysians of Indian origin to work hard and strive for a better future, not just for themselves but also for the future generation. "You can only reap what you sow…if we work hard now, then this hard work will be translated into greater benefits and these benefits are not only for us, but the future generation, as well."

Palanivel said Indians came to this blessed country not hoping that someone would give them "free money", but to work hard and create a better future for themselves and future generations. "They believed in this principle. They did well and we are now enjoying a good life, but we must strive harder to create a better future for our children. "Apart from this, they also transplanted the Indian culture and traditions to this soil.

"Ponggal is such a festival brought by our forefathers to this land. All our festivals have taken deep root in this country, and let us continue celebrating these festivals as our forefathers did," said Palanivel, who is also women, family and community development deputy minister.

People's Progressive Party president Datuk M. Kayveas called on the Indian community to utilise opportunities provided by the government to uplift their standard of living. He said the community should not depend on others for assistance to succeed but instead be able to capitalise and seize the chances available. Kayveas advised Indians in the country to be wary of parties taking advantage of the situation on the pretext of championing the rights of the community. — Bernama

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