Posts Tagged ‘MHS’

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Hindu Sangam makes u-turn on rally

November 27th, 2007
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the same MHS which sat with glum faces behind MIC info chief saravanan saying they don't support the hindraf rally, now comes out with another statement saying its a wake-up call.

quote: "Malaysia Hindu Sangam national central council member C.M. Kopalan said the MIC and the Government had helped to fund, build, repair as well as settle relocation and land issues for temples nationwide."

Hindu Sangam: Rally a 'wake up call'
http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/75365
Nov 27, 07 7:30pm

The authorities must listen to the grievances aired by some 30,000 Indian Malaysians who participated in Sunday’s rally, said the Malaysian Hindu Sangam (MHS).

Describing it as a “wake up call for all Malaysians”, the influential Hindu umbrella body said the government must stop “festering wounds” within the Indian community from becoming worse.

“It is clear that there are tens of thousands of Indians in Malaysia who feel the government is not protecting their best interests,” said MHS president A Vaithilingam in a statement today.

Among others, he said, demonstrators were angered by the government and court’s inaction over infringements of religious freedoms by the “Islamic authorities”.

He cites ‘corpse-snatching’ cases between Islamic authorities and Hindus as well as the demolition of Hindu temples as examples.

“Almost all the victims (of infringements of religious freedoms) have been Hindus, fueling anger amongst the community,” he added.

Immediate measures

Vaithilingam said another catalyst to Sunday’s demonstration, organised by the Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf), was the demolition of the Sri Maha Mariamman Temple in Kampung Karuppiah, Shah Alam just before Deepavali.

“The unprecedented pictures of local authority enforcement officers throwing stones at devotees and at the temple caused an uproar amongst the Indian community,” he said.

He further urged the government to take immediate measures to improve the socio-economic conditions of the Indian community and to ensure that the nation’s wealth is distributed equitably amongst all Malaysians.

He also urged the government to make legislative reforms to protect religious freedoms.

“We call on the courts to start acting in their role as the guardians of the fundamental liberties of minorities against oppression by the majority,” he said.

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comments by MHS, Hindu Dharma Mandram and YSS

November 27th, 2007
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Rally not our way, say groups

By : K. Harinderan

KUALA LUMPUR: Sunday's demonstration by Indians has set them back and trivialised all their hard work in the past, a senior official of a Hindu organisation said yesterday. 

"Street protests are not our way," said R. Gopal, vice-president of the Malaysian Hindu Sangam, Federal Territory. "Indians in this country are basically law-abiding and would not resort to violence to solve problems." He said the demonstration organised by the Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) was disappointing as "we have lived together and enjoyed peace in Malaysia".

His sentiments were echoed by a spokesman for The Malaysian Hindu Dharma Mandaram, a religious organisation, that said Indians should not resort to street protests to resolve issues as these would lead to violence. 

They could take their grouses to the prime minister through the proper channels, he added.

The executive director of Yayasan Strategik Sosial, Datuk Dr Denison Jayasooria, suggested the formation of a parliamentary select committee comprising multi-racial leaders to address grievances such as education, housing and freedom of worship. He said dissatisfaction had led Indians to take to the streets. Jayasooria said the government should address the root cause and why the group claims to be marginalised. "Although there are efforts by the government to eradicate poverty and to address these issues, many of its policies are not made known," he said. "This can be seen as sidelining or the mishandling of grievances, which has led the group to react in such a manner. In my view, claims made by Hindraf were merely a catalyst to the stand they took on Sunday."

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MHS conducts Food Donation Programme

November 17th, 2007
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Helping needy folks

source

THE Malaysia Hindu Sangam (MHS) marked the on-going festivals with a Food Donation Programme For The Poor, in the Petaling Utama Low Cost Flats recently. Speaking on behalf of the Residents Association was its secretary En Ismail Aziz. He said, "The residents consist of Malays, Indians and even some Chinese and any help is most welcome, and the celebrations will be enjoyed by everyone, in true Malaysian spirit". 

More than 300 poor families around the Klang Valley, including the 25 families in Petaling Utama, benefited from the Food Donation Programme conducted by Malaysia Hindu Sangam (MHS) in conjunction with Hari Raya and Deepavali celebrations. MHS pre-senting food parcels containing essential food groceries for various communities around the Klang Valley.  

A more meaningful celebration: The recipients of the food donation programme pose with the MHS representatives.

The families that received the food parcels were those with monthly household income less than RM500. They also lived mainly in low cost housing areas and squatter colonies. The food parcels contained essential grocery items such as rice, canned foods, milk, etc. These food items donated were intended to supplement the supplies of these families during the festive celebrations.  

According to MHS President, Datuk A.Vaithilingam, "this programme is another one in our on-going series of activities held throughout the year focussed on community development". He further added, "Hari Raya and Deepavali are major religious and cultural celebrations involving the Malay and Indian communities. And as we have always done in Malaysia, we tend to celebrate our festivals together, in the spirit of Muhibbah. Since both these festivals have come close to each other again this year, we have decided to run this annual programme for both communities again, as we did last year".  

MHS also adopted the Petaling Utama Flats for its on-going Community Development Pro-gramme. The ATMAH Project team will soon start its tuition and human values classes there. En Ismail again thanked MHS for this effort, saying that "this effort and contribution will make a meaningful difference to the many young people who live in the area".

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shah alam temple demolished and media blackout

October 31st, 2007
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The temple demolishment in Padang Jawa area (Sri Maha Mariamman Temple, Taman Karuppiah, Shah Alam) was first highlighted in the UMIC forum by one of the members. However, confirmation came in after 6pm, while SMSes started to arrive after 8pm.

I checked with an acquaintance in the print media yesterday night, who did not anything about it. Nothing was mentioned in the news at Vaanavil Bernama, TV2, TV3 buletin Utama, and Nightline. Nothing too in Star Online, NST, The Sun etc. Only report was in Malaysiakini. This was preceded by statements issued by Hindraf and MHS.

From what we have read, Hindraf paints a terrible picture of massacre level – equating MBSA with Myanmar's junta. Still, we have to take it with a pinch of salt.

Some reports mentioned that even MBSA staff were injured. Well, I guess the people didn't give any quarters.

Malaysiakini mentioned that the area was to be cleared – houses, temple and a surau as well. It also quoted DAP's representative saying that Samy Vellu mentioned Khir Toyo being stubborn (un-cooperative) and did not want to give any time for discussions. I suppose what made the people angry is the insensitivity shown by the government servants in dealing with the public.

MHS as usual issued a statement, which will be disposed into recycle bins as fast as they arrived in emails and print.  People may get fed up with this soon.

Since this was done in a hurried manner, I suspect money has a bigger role rather than an agenda  to get rid of Indians or to create racial tension. In the end, its all about the money trail or as it is often put "benefits to the rakyat" (read: certain rakyat only, especially those living in houses bigger than some schools). Of course, I have no proof. But if the law is on your side, would you still go bulldozing ahead and do things illegally?

The action by Khir Toyo does not bode well. After all the committees, discussions, task forces etc being created at federal and state level to amicably solve these kind of religious issues, he goes ahead and does as he likes. This flies in the face of MIC and MHS who called for restraint and asked the Indians not to retaliate in earlier cases throughout the country.

Well, I guess no one will be inviting Khir Toyo for Deepavali open house this year! Unless shameless Kamala Ganapathy, Komala, Samy Vellu, Palanivel etc. does an about turn and say that Khir Toyo is Pembela Rakyat India!

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Thirumurai fest at Batu Caves

September 4th, 2007
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THE Malaysia Hindu Sangam (MHS) is holding the 30th anniversary of the two-day Thirumurai festival at Batu Caves on Sept 8 to enhance the growth of the ancient old verses in Malaysia. 

The festival includes a Thirumulai Lifestyle Concert themed Thirumurai…..Challenges of The Ear, presented by 60 artistes on Sept 8 and the Thirumurai National Competition the next day. 

The aim of the festival is to change the mindset of the people about Thirumurai, to infuse Thirumurai into their lifestyle, to bring new ideas into the Thirumurai while retaining its originality and form and to attract youngsters to appreciate, learn and incorporate values of the Thirumurai into their daily lives. 

MHS president Datuk V.T. Lingam said the Thirumurai verses were recited by great saints of Tamil Nadu, India, who are responsible for creating them. 

“Over the years we have celebrated this festival. A total of 160,000 youths and children have taken part and recited the verses. We are happy to continue this tradition of bringing this ancient verses to the new generation,”  

“We have lined up many cultural performances and the highlight of the festival will be the Thirumurai Teachers' Parade, where 27 people will be dressed as the 27 Thirumurai authors of the verses,” he said. 

MHS national chairman (arts & culture), Dr. M. Bala said the festival continues to feed the cultural and art scene. 

“This verses have been around for 1,500 years and they have retained their style, essence, rhythm and tune. We want the next generation to know how they can use these verses in their daily lives and how they can infuse them into their daily activities.” 

“We are expecting about 800 to 2,000 people and we are also providing shelter and food for them. There will also be a cultural exhibition about our organisation.” 

The festival will feature the Thirumurai Nadaswaram, vocal recital, dance performances, instrumental presentations, drama and lifestyle forum.  

The festival will be held at Batu Caves Hall from 7pm to 10pm and admission is free.  

MHS also seeks support and sponsorship for the growth of Thirumurai. For more information on the festival and to contribute, please contact Dr Bala at 019-212 7003 or Aravinthan at 016-612 0587.

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