The news sound good, until you read the second last paragraph – “Applicants must make sure their temples or churches were registered with the Government, he added.”. That means only limited places of worship can apply. Other must start the process of registration as soon as possible.
KLANG: Selangor has allocated RM6mil this year for non-Muslim places of worship.
State Local Government, Study and Research Committee chairman Ronnie Liu said the allocation, an increase from last year’s RM5mil, was open for application now.
Those who did not get the allocation in 2008 were welcomed to apply, Liu said when contacted.
Liu, who sits on the committee for non-Muslim affairs, said the allocation was meant for building plan, repairs, renovations and organising charity events.
Applicants must make sure their temples or churches were registered with the Government, he added.
Those who want to apply for this year’s allocation can write to Liu’s office at 15th Floor, Bangunan Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah, Section 5, 40503 Shah Alam, Selangor Darul Ehsan or call 03-5544 7150.
I think you missed the most important point…it is for all non-Muslim places of worship.
Knowing Ronnie Liu and the current state of Selangor PR’s administration, I am not optimistic that Hindu temples get much, if they get anything at all.
Bulk of this will go to Churches with Teresa, Ronnie and Xavier being benefitted greatly from their (churches’) support in the GE.
It is unfortunate that noone from the Hindu faith is represented in the state exco or in senior positions. If you understand the kind of influence that these people have over the state govt, I am very much skeptical that we will get anything at all.
this is were the temples should act smart. they should send a copy of application to MHS/MIC/Makkal Sakthi/Indian MP etc. Make sure got relevant proof of receipt of application. If the temples don’t even get RM2 million (33%), then there’s something wrong. But note that they play smart by saying only registered places of worship can apply. so all those considered “illegal” cannot apply. But sad to say that our communication system is worse to say the least. by the time the info reach temple, the committee meet and talk, the various factions argue and agree, it will be after deadline or funds finished. The churches have good communication and coordination.
Another way is that to see how many temples in “indian” MP/ADUN areas get allocation. Even though Charles and Xavier are not Hindus, they surely attended functions in temples in their areas and know the committee members. YB Mike, no need to say la. His constituency have tens of temple. Takkan one also tak dapat duit! Same goes for Sivarasa and Manoharan (via wife). My guess is that those temples in these reps area will get some allocation to please their supporters.
But, to show that Pakatan is beyond racial lines, I expect to see temples in Shah Alam, Kota Raja, Pandamaranm, Ampang, Rawang, Seri Kembangan, Dengkil, etc to get allocations. If some reps can go to temple during campaigns and post-election functions, don’t tell me they can’t help to submit and support request for allocation from temples in their area.
The operative word, as you have right pointed out, is “registered”. This defies logic as one of the key issues for Hindus in Selangor is the “unregistered”.
The amount Rm2Mil is a fair but an unrealistic amount if we consider the political and power dynamics within the Selangor govt. In case you are unaware, let me share some of these “inside” info. It is common knowledge that the MB is weak and barely holding on due to the support of Anwar. And as for non Muslim affairs, he has no say and the ones who run the show is Ronnie Liu and Teresa Kok. What going to happen is bulk of the fund will go to them to be channeled to Churches and Chinese temples. And then the balance will go Xavier. Mike and Charles will not get anything as they are MPs and not really in the best books of Ronnie, Teresa or Khalid.
Xavier, if you are unaware, is a staunch Christian and a sort of patron for Churches in the Klang area (you can check around with your Christian friends if you wish to). He has contributed significantly in the past (though not sure where the money came from). One example is the new Lourdes Hall in Klang. Those who are familiar will know that he is hardly a grass root leader who supported the Hindus before the GE. Only appearing on the scene during the GE. I can’t recall any instance where he was involved in any Hindu temples issues before GE.
I guess the money for Indians will be passed to Xavier to be distributed. But I guess he will likely divert some of these to the churches. In the end perhaps 10 to 15% will reach the temples. In this regard I hope Mike, MS and MIC will monitor and demand for transparency and accountability otherwise we might end up with nothing.
when selangor gov gives fund for tamil schools some quarters give directive to HM and PTA’s not to attend the function…hope same thing wont happen in temple fund
A lot of temples temple committee are MIC leaders will they apply for the funds as well??
Those temples with MIC people as heads unlikely to get the fund at all. And those temples that get the fund will have a lot of conditions attached to it, mostly political ones..
Dear Poobalan,
Previously we were staying in kampung Tun Razak in Puchong and builded 1 temple there. 4 years ago, MPSJ was demolished the whole Kampung and include our temple eventhough is not supose to be demolish as we pay cukai tanah for past 6 years to MPSJ.
Now we seeking help for all parties include DAP and MIC but no one really help. Can you guide me for this and need your advise
TQ
Kumar
Hi Kumar,
firstly, need to know the land status – private, govt, TOL, illegal? You said was paying cukai, meaning TOL? Was there notice given by the MPSJ for evacuation or demolishment?
Did the residents appoint a lawyer to represent yourselves?
Where are the residents now? any compensation?
Who you approached in DAP and MIC? what was their response? “cannot help” or “we will try”?
I guess the temple and house is same problem. if can demolish house, surely they will demolish temple.
My advice, need to have all the documentations showing land ownership, etc. Then, need legal experts to advice.