Statistics on Temple demolition in Selangor

/* October 28th, 2008 by poobalan | View blog reactions No comments »
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The statistics mentioned by Xavier Jayakumar at Selangor state assembly:

A total of 96 Hindu and 37 Buddhist temples were demolished in Selangor between 2004 and 2007.

State exco member Dr A. Xavier Jayakumar said the move was carried out by the local authorities.

However, so far this year, 54 new applications had been approved by the committee task with regulating non-Muslim places of worship.

Among the applications are for 25 Hindu temples, 19, Buddhist temples and 10 churches.

Dr Xavier, who was answering a question from Lee Ying Ha (PR-Teretai), said although the applications had been approved by the committee, they would still need to be approved by the state executive council before the new places of worship could be built.

96 temples/4 years = 20 temples per year demolished. That’s about one temple every two and half weeks. Is it consistent with HINDRAF’s claims?

There’s also a catch with the approvals given by PR government. The non-muslim religious affairs committee (3 people: Xavier, Ronnie, and Teresa – WHO STILL HAVE NOT replied to my email) gave the approval. Its like a first round. The second round is the state EXCO.

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Deepavali Open House

/* October 27th, 2008 by poobalan | View blog reactions No comments »
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Not sure how MIC’s Deepavali open house went today. Obviously, many Hindu would have better things to do than make a beeline to PWTC especially between 10am and 1pm today. So, I wonder how the crowd was. One thing for sure, there was no “gate-crashers” or “unruly” behaviour from the visitors.

The Star said this year’s Deepavali was a modest affair. NST attributed this partly due to the weather and flood (especially in the Northern states).

Some photos are shown here, taken fron Jinggo’s collection.

By the way, I find that people get confused easily between Hindus and Indians. Not all Indians celebrate Deepavali because its a religious festival. Even politicians and leaders get confused easily. Perhaps they are accustomed to Malay and Muslim relationship and extend it to Indian/Hindu.

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Deepavali Wishes!

/* October 27th, 2008 by poobalan | View blog reactions No comments »
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As we wait to start the day (its 2.26am now) with renewed vigor and joy, let us not forget those who celebrate Deepavali amidst much suffering and shortcomings.

To all Malaysian Hindus, Happy Deepavali. Deepavali Valthukal!

In times of economic uncertainties and sign of social solidarity, let us celebrate Deepavali in its true sense. Moderate expenses and quiet appreciation of God’s blessings, hopefully will be your choice.

Let us pray for those who suffer for us, and for those who stand for us. Let us unite with one voice, one action.

Oh ya, SAY NO TO ALCOHOL. Make this Deepavali alcohol free.

PS: The 10 concerned Indians arrested while accompanying a 6-year old kid to invite Prime Minister to Deepavali open house were release on Deepavali eve at 1.30pm.

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confused police?

/* October 25th, 2008 by poobalan | View blog reactions 1 comment »
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I’m sure the story of SUARAM activist being arrested under Section 28 of the ISA last week is well known by now. She was said to comment on the police website that “the police have abused their power” in their handling of the Kampung Plentong fracas.

SUHAKAM’s commissioner, Khalid Ibrahim said: “But I do not see anything seditious in it because she just said that they were abusing their power. She did not (add) any religious or racial sentiments, as far as I understand.”

The activist, Cheng, also revealed that she has been told to appear at ‘the Magistrate’s Court’ on Nov 1 (which falls on a Saturday), without the location being specified.

“Besides, Magistrate’s Courts do no not operate on Saturdays. So far, I have not received any warrant from them. This clearly shows that they have acted in bad faith over this,” she said.

A programmer, she was arrested on Oct 17 and released after 19 hours. She was detained under Section 28 of the ISA which covers dissemination of false information.

However, the clause does not empower the police to detain a suspect without trial. The person must be produced in court within 24 hours to be charged or remanded for further investigation.

– wrong section/act?
– no location for court?
– date set on non-working day?

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religious structures in Selangor limited to 10000 square feet

/* October 25th, 2008 by poobalan | View blog reactions 2 comments »
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I’m wondering if NST wrote this wrongly. It says that Dr Xavier said the state government had approved a policy whereby religious structures of any religion other than Islam must not exceed 10,000 sq ft in size .

This seems to be a ridiculous rule indeed. Why would there be a limit? Logically, the community that wants to build a place of worship will know its own financial strength and the viability of such places. Secondly, religious buildings/structures can double up as tourist attractions. So, limiting the size is inappropriate.

Secondly, those owners of illegally built places of worship will be fined continuously until government recognition is received. This is also illogical. If the owners are in the dark about existence of such places on their lands, or if such places are in process of getting recognition, the fines should be waived.

The Selangor government in July instructed all local authorities in the state to fine owners of houses of worship built illegally, said State Health, Plantation Workers, Poverty and Caring Government Committee chairman, Dr Xavier Jayakumar.
The fines needed to be settled continuously until the owners received government recognition for the houses of worship, he said when answering a question from Sulaiman Abdul Razak (BN-Permatang) in the State Assembly here today.

By the way, I’m still waiting for Jayakumar et. al.’s reply to my email on temple demolition report.

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