Archive for the ‘Religion’ category

« Older Entries
Newer Entries »

Kapar temple status threatened by land owner

June 3rd, 2008
|  Subscribe in a reader | Subscribe to poobalan.com by Email


Well, in this instance, the authorities are not directly involved. The questions being raised is the inaction by the police on various reports made by the temple caretaker for last two years. Its related to the dubious manner of the land ownership transfer. Unfortunately, the temple lost the court case years ago, thus no option but to relocate. The caretaker had put in an application to set aside the ruling, but the owner is not bothered to wait. Perhaps the court should put up a restraining or stop-work kind of order. Then we can see if the police follow the court decision or not.

Until then, the police won’t be protecting the temple since court ruled otherwise. I’m sure in this instance, the police will follow the rule of the law and protect the owner. The only option is to provide proof of embezzlement or criminal action by the new owner. But even then, a recent landmark case involving land transfer shows that the “sale” or “transfer” is valid (even though invalid methods are used) and the buyer’s rights are protected. The actual owner (whose land title was transferred without their knowlege) lost their case. So, again I think legal avenue will be failure as well.

Since the owner is private (individual), he won’t be so charitable to allocate a plot for the temple. He won’t be standing for any election is not worried position and power. Only thing is that, if indeed he cheated in order to own the land, Amman will ensure he and his future generation pays many folds. That’s natural law.

Next option is political intervention – perhaps PR government will create much hassle until the new owner can’t do any development in the land. Or just buy the land and convert it into park. temple, school land etc. This would be a big challenge for new Kapar MP Manikavasagam. I’m sure Komala is waiting happily to seize the opportunity and hentam him.

They way I see it, only political or divine intervention can save the temple. Perhaps the owner will have a dream soon! 🙂

Kapar seems to be in the papers due to land issues nowadays.

MP Manikavasagam have written on his website about the issue. Photos are available at his Picasa site.

Kannan (Hindraf Coordinator) provides an account of the happenings (via email): » Read more: Kapar temple status threatened by land owner

10 comments »

Posted in Indian, Religion

Tags:

penang religious panel

May 26th, 2008
|  Subscribe in a reader | Subscribe to poobalan.com by Email


Not sure who are the rest of the committee members, so we can’t really comment on how these 4 will impact the decision-making. Since its mentioned that previous state government had formed the panel, we can see that more responsibility for the state assemblymen. I hope they don’t suffer a burnout soon.

I think its high time for someone to keep track of the all the posts each assemblymen is holding coz I’m losing count.

That aside, we obviously we hope that with the addition of the assemblymen, future places of worship problems will not arise or will be solved amicably.

Four reps appointed to religious panel

source

THE Penang Government has appointed four state assembly-men from different religions to the Non-Muslim Worship Committee, a state body that deals with complaints and disputes regarding non-Muslim institutions. They are state Town, Country Planning and Housing Committee chairman Wong Hon Wai (Air Itam), state Local Government, Traffic Management and Environment Committee chairman Chow Kon Yeow (Padang Kota), Penang Hindu Endowment Board chairman A. Tanasekharan (Bagan Dalam) and Jagdeep Singh Deo (Datuk Keramat). Wong, who heads the committee, is a Buddhist while, Chow is a Christian, Tanasekharan a Hindu and Jagdeep Singh a Sikh.

Wong said the committee would deal directly with government agencies to expedite the handling of disputes and issues. “There are many issues when it comes to religion. The committee’s job is to help settle disputes regarding land issues, the location of new temples, churches and gurdwaras, cemetery placements and all other issues that affect non-Muslim religions,” he said.  He said the past state administration had formed the committee and the appointment of the assemblymen was done at the state exco meeting last Friday.

When asked about the Gurdwara Sahib Bayan Baru Association’s appeal for a 0.4ha piece of land adjoining the Snake Temple in Bayan Lepas, Wong said Jagdeep Singh had highlighted the issue to the committee and they were currently waiting for relevant government agencies to provide reports.

Comments Off on penang religious panel »

Posted in BornInMalaysia, Religion

Tags:

church only wait 16 years to get approval

May 22nd, 2008
|  Subscribe in a reader | Subscribe to poobalan.com by Email


Only 16 years in this case. The one in Selangor is well past the thirties, if I’m not mistaken. Again, political intervention is needed.

Johor church gets okay to convert land

source

JOHOR BARU: The congregation of Holy Light Church here had reason to rejoice last Sunday – they finally received approval from the Johor government to convert its land from agricultural to religious use after a 16-year wait.  The state executive council met on April 9 and approved the application, said Bar Council member Roger Tan, who is also a congregation member of the 56-year-old English church.

Last Sunday, Tan handed the official letter of approval to senior pastor Rev Nicholas Yeo.

“We are grateful that the Mentri Besar personally intervened in this matter,” said Tan who had highlighted the church’s plight to Datuk Abdul Ghani Othman.  “Within two hours, the mentri besar called back and asked me to inform the church that the government would consider favourably our application after the election. True to his word, our application has been approved.”

In 1989, the church bought the agricultural land in Mukim Plentong, next to the Ponderosa Golf Course. When they applied for the conversion of the land use, they discovered that the state government had other plans for it.  The church then filed a suit against the government in 1995, and the government subsequently withdrew from the land acquisition. In 1999, the church applied again for the use of the land, which was sub-divided into two lots, to be converted for institutional and religious purposes. In 2000, the state government only approved one piece for institutional use.

Comments Off on church only wait 16 years to get approval »

Posted in BornInMalaysia, Religion

Tags:

ABIM calls for standard apostasy ruling

May 14th, 2008
|  Subscribe in a reader | Subscribe to poobalan.com by Email


The case involving Tan Ean Huang was actually clear cut, but it dragged for months. The lady did everything opposite to Islam, her husband who is muslim did not help her out and actually disappeared. She converted out of need to get marriage, not for love of religion. Yet, she had to attend counseling, of which she only attended once. I guess they couldn’t get to her. She was steadfast and managed to escape from the religion. It would have been a mockery if the court decided otherwise. » Read more: ABIM calls for standard apostasy ruling

Comments Off on ABIM calls for standard apostasy ruling »

Posted in BornInMalaysia, Religion

Tags:

What MPs say on apostasy

May 9th, 2008
|  Subscribe in a reader | Subscribe to poobalan.com by Email


As MPs offered their views on apostasy, Zahid provides some details. He mentions that on Negeri Sembilan has law outlawing apostasy. So, if you want to convert out, best hope is Penang.

Secondly, Ms Tan was given counselling and was asked to consider her decision, but she prevailed.

» Read more: What MPs say on apostasy

1 comment »

Posted in BornInMalaysia, Religion

Tags: