Posts Tagged ‘Perak’

« Older Entries
Newer Entries »

Christian children books seized

January 11th, 2008
|  Subscribe in a reader | Subscribe to poobalan.com by Email


I'm confused. What business does a Muslim have reading Christian children books until he/she can complain to the authorities? The report say Islamic authorities (which jokers is it this time?) made the complaint. Why would an authority on Islam go and poke its nose into a different religion matters? Surely they have better things to do like snooping on promiscuous couples, investigating deviant teachings, or checking on mosques' sermons? I'm sooo confused!

Christian children books seized
http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/76951
Chua Sue-Ann | Jan 11, 08 5:13pm

The Internal Security Ministry has confiscated English language Christian children’s books said to contain offensive caricatures of prophets from several bookshops in three states.

Malaysiakini learnt that these books have been seized from three MPH bookstores in Johor Bahru, Senawang in Negeri Sembilan and Ipoh, Perak. It is unclear if other book retailers have had similar raids.

The raids were conducted by state enforcement officials of the Publications and Al-Quran Texts Control Department under the Internal Security Ministry.

Negeri Sembilan and Malacca department director Faizah Nor Sidek confirmed that a total of 29 books were seized in mid-December from the Senawang MPH outlet.

According to Faizah, her department acted on a complaint from Islamic authorities.

“The illustrations of prophets in the Christian children’s books are said to offend the sensitivities of Muslims,” she said when contacted today.

The six titles have been sent to the department’s headquarters in Putrajaya for investigation.

Faizah said that the department had issued an official notice of confiscation to the bookstore’s management and will communicate the headquarter’s final decision to them.

Director of the Perak department Mohamad Zaid also confirmed that more than 10 books have been taken off the shelves in the Ipoh Kinta City branch on Jan 3.

According to Zaid, enforcement officers received information from headquarters to remove the children’s books.

MPH bookstores management declined to comment, saying that they will wait for the Internal Security Ministry’s official decision.

Officials from the Publications and Al-Quran Texts Control Department headquarters were unavailable for comment.

Christian publications in limbo

These confiscations come amidst other controversial restrictions towards Christian publications.

Customs authorities seized six titles of Christian children’s books last August on the grounds that the Bahasa Indonesia publications contained certain words that were exclusive to Islam.

The words in contention are ‘Allah’ (God), ‘Baitullah’ (House of God), ‘Solat’ (prayer) and ‘Kaabah’ (The Sacred House).

Sabah Sidang Injil Borneo Church – who sought to import these books for their Sunday school classes – have a lawsuit pending against the government and the prime minister, who is also the internal security minister.

The hearing has been postponed to Jan 15 to allow relevant parties to seek a resolution to the issue.

The suit, filed by church president Pastor Jerry Dusing, is seeking the return of the consignment of materials that were confiscated by Custom officers at the Low-cost Carrier Terminal on Aug 15.

The church also want the court to rule on the constitutional right and legitimate expectation to the use of the term 'Allah' as a translation for God in Christian publications as well the right to import such publications.

Last month, controversy erupted over the Internal Security Ministry’s directive to the Catholic church’s weekly publication Herald to stop using the term ‘Allah’ when referring to God or risk having its printing license unrenewed.

The ministry has since renewed the weekly paper’s printing license after public outcry over the issue.

However, the paper will persist with its lawsuit against the government to challenge the prohibition from using the word ‘Allah’.

Comments Off on Christian children books seized »

Posted in BornInMalaysia

Tags:

Hindraf 5 ISA detainees hunger strike

January 10th, 2008
|  Subscribe in a reader | Subscribe to poobalan.com by Email


Hindraf 5 to go on hunger strike
http://malaysiakini.com/news/76905
Soon Li Tsin | Jan 10, 08 2:09pm

The five Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) leaders held under the Internal Security Act (ISA) will go on a hunger strike beginning Jan 20. 

P Uthayakumar, R Kenghadharan, M Manoharan, V Ganabathirau and T Vasanthakumar are currently being held at the Kamunting detention centre in Perak.

Their lawyer M Kulasegaran said today the hunger strike is to protest against their unlawful detention without trial.

The strike, which will last for five days, will commence at 7.30am on Jan 20 and end at 7.00pm on Jan 25.

According to Kulasegaran, the five are also urging Malaysians to join them in the protest fast.

“They strongly urged Malaysians especially the Indian community to join them in the fast to protest the unlawful detention without just cause and fair trial which is a serious violation of fundamental human liberties.

“The five leaders informed me that they totally reject the reasons given to detain them as simplistic, frivolous and vexatious,” he said.

‘Not too bad’

On their condition, Kulasegaran said the five are doing ‘not too bad’ but Kenghadharan – who is a vegetarian – is having trouble with the food being provided.

This is not the first hunger strike held over their arbitrary arrest. Late last year, Singaporean artist Seelan Palay, 23, consumed only water for five days – one day for each detained member – outside the Malaysian High Commission.

The Hindraf leaders gained fame when they organised a protest that saw 30,000 people hit the streets of Kuala Lumpur on Nov 25 last year.

This was followed by the movement’s leaders and supporters being charged for a slew of offences including sedition, causing mischief and attending an illegal assembly.

On Dec 13 last year, the five leaders were arrested under the ISA – a move anticipated by many after the government linked the movement to overseas terrorist groups.

Meanwhile, the alleged terrorism charges against the five will be heard by the ISA advisory board on Jan 14 at the detention centre.

“The advisory board will conduct a hearing on the allegation (of terrorism activities) against them. It’s a closed door hearing but the five will be represented by their lawyers,” Kulasegaran added.

Comments Off on Hindraf 5 ISA detainees hunger strike »

Posted in BornInMalaysia

Tags:

Rest in Peace Hindu Sangam

January 5th, 2008
|  Subscribe in a reader | Subscribe to poobalan.com by Email


With the creation of the Malaysian Hindu Council, fully supported by (and maybe part of) MIC, MIC is clearly seen as getting rid of MHS. May you rest in peace, Malaysian  Hindu Sangam.
 
MHS is asking Selangor MB why not meeting with them, but dare they ask MIC why not inviting them? Perhaps MIC is upset that a coalition has been set up that sidesteps them?
 
Talking about unity, why is MIC not practising what it preaches? Even today afternoon, MIC Information chief Dato Saravanan talked about UNITY!
 
Anyway, if nothing dramatic happens, like arm-twisting by certain people, MHS will soon be a thing of the past, one more limp NGO.
 
Read other articles about the the issue at:
 
 
 
 

 

Hindu Sangam to Khir: What about us?

http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/76722
Jan 5, 08 5:00pm

The Malaysia Hindu Sangam (MHS) is the rightful body for the Selangor state government to consult in regards to Hindu temples, said its deputy president Thiagaraja Ratnasamy today.

Thiagaraja was responding to news reports that Selangor Menteri Besar Dr Mohd Khir Toyo had a meeting “700 temple representatives” to discuss the controversial state demolition of temples.

Formed in 1965, MHS is the biggest Hindu temple umbrella group in the country and had a track record of handling such issues, said Thiagaraja.

This includes liaising with the late K Sivalingam who was a Selangor state exco member in charge of non-Muslim affairs and drawing guidelines for Kuala Lumpur City Hall regarding demolition of temples.

“Before the Menteri Besar implements any guidelines in Selangor, he must first have an actual and meaningful dialogue with the actual representatives of temples.

“With 1,802 temples nationwide as members of the MHS, it would appear that we are best placed to assist the state government in this,” said Thiagaraja in a statement today.

Politically motivated?

MHS’ role as an umbrella body for Hindu organisations looks shaken with the establishment of the Malaysian Hindu Council (MHC) and its influence on Hindu temple affairs.

MHC is headed by Jalan Bandar Maha Mariamman temple and Batu Caves temple president R Nadarajah. Nadarajah is a notable businessman who is also known for his close links with MIC president S Samy Vellu.

The meeting with the temple representatives was facilitated by the MHC yesterday, where Khir announced that the state government would not demolish any Hindu temples over the next six months.

During that time frame, the temple committees within Selangor have to form a self-regulatory body to deal directly with the state government on erecting, demolishing and relocating temples.

Observers note that the move by MHS and Khir to set up the committee was likely to drum up support for the Barisan Nasional in the upcoming general election.
 
MIC to set up council of Hindu temples

BERNAMA

 
source

KUALA LUMPUR, Sat.:

The MIC will set up a Council of Hindu Temples in every state to protect the temples and resolve their problems through the state governments, MIC president Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu said today. 

The formation of the council comes just weeks after Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi instructed Samy Vellu to list the number of temples in the country and identify their problems.

Samy Vellu, who is Works Minister, said the council would be chaired by the state executive councillors from the MIC or the state party chiefs. “The MIC considers the demolition of temples as a very serious political matter and it requires consultations from various parties,” he said in a statement.

As such, the council would be tasked with several functions, among others, to safeguard temples and to protect the integrity of the Hindu religion; to register temples which comply with the requirements; and to obtain permanent and suitable alternative sites for temples. Samy Vellu said that if a temple was found to have been built on private or government land, the council would seek an alternative and suitable site for it.  “The council will also ascertain that the plans for all the temples have been submitted to the local authorities to prevent future problems. The council will get the approval for the plans once they have been submitted,” he said.

However, it would not interfere in the running of the temple or its administration, he added. The council, he said, would list the number of temples in a locality and compile the problems faced by these temples.

The first meeting on the formation of the council was held in Perak last Dec 27, attended by 750 temple heads and chaired by Samy Vellu.  He said the Selangor MIC organised another meeting yesterday which was attended by Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Khir Toyo and more than 1,000 temple heads. “I will chair another meeting of temple heads from the Federal Territory on Jan 13,” he said, adding that many cases of temple demolitions are confined to Kuala Lumpur. Samy Vellu said that without political support, the fate of temples, especially those built illegally would be in limbo.

 

THE STAR: MIC to set up council for temples

source

PETALING JAYA: A Council of Hindu Temples will be set up in every state by the MIC to protect and resolve problems through the state governments.  In a statement Saturday, MIC president Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu said the council would be chaired by state executive councillors from the party or state MIC chiefs.   "The MIC considers the demolition of temples as a very serious political matter and it requires consultation with various parties," he said.  

He said the council would be given several duties including safeguarding temples, protecting the integrity of Hinduism, registering temples that comply with the requirements and obtaining permanent and suitable alternative sites for temples.   He added that if a temple is found to be built on private or government land, the Council would seek an alternative suitable land for the temple concerned.  

"The Council will also ascertain if the plans for all the temples have been submitted to the local authorities to prevent future problems. The Council will get the approval for the plans once it has been submitted," he said.  

Samy added the Council would not interfere in the running and administration of the temple. Nor would it control or take over the temple committee's tasks.   It would, however, list the number of temples in a locality and compile problems they faced, he said.  

The next meeting of temple heads from the Federal Territory is scheduled for Jan 13.

1 comment »

Posted in Indian, Religion

Tags:

Container school PIBG did not built classroom

January 5th, 2008
|  Subscribe in a reader | Subscribe to poobalan.com by Email


Looks like for once MIC is absolved of any wrongdoing here. The PIBG (PTA) did not utilise the money given to them in 2005. Maybe they thought if they build the classroom, they would not get the new building promised by the govt.
 
 
'Container' school did not use RM60,000 allocation from MIC

IPOH: SJK (T) Kampung Jebong Lama could have resolved its classroom shortage three years ago if school authorities had used a RM60,000 MIC allocation to build two classrooms.

Perak MIC chief Datuk G. Rajoo said he and Datuk Seri Samy Vellu visited the school in 2005 and RM60,000 was given to the Parent-Teacher Association for two new classrooms.

"But they did not build the classrooms and this has resulted in students having to use a container as a classroom," Rajoo told the New Straits Times yesterday.

He said the RM60,000 had remained untouched in the PTA's bank account.

He said the PTA should have built the classrooms instead of waiting for a new two-storey block prom-ised by the federal government.
He was commenting on the plight of students who used the container. He said the new block would be built this year.

Students will have to use the container for the next few months as the new classrooms take shape.

Those using the container can only do so until 11am as the heat becomes unbearable after that.

When this happens, they adjourn to the canteen to continue their lessons.

The 74-year-old school, situated 80km from here, has three containers donated by former Kuala Sepetang assemblyman Datuk Siew Kok Kan with the other two used as a storeroom and a resource centre.

Meanwhile, Kuala Sepetang assemblyman See Tean Seng said he would donate air-conditioners for the containers.

 

Comments Off on Container school PIBG did not built classroom »

Posted in Tamil-Schools

Tags:

NESA did not allocate land for temple

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


Residents urge Perak to give land for temple

source

RESIDENTS of Ipoh’s Tasik Taman Manikavasagam, which was built by the Nesa Multi-Purpose Cooperative society in 1976, have appealed to the Perak government to allocate a plot of land to build a new temple, Tamil Nesan reported.  

The residents, comprising about 80% Indians, had built the Sri Muniswarar temple with the hope that Nesa would eventually allocate the land for the temple. 

The residents were surprised that Nesa would use the land to build houses instead and had not allocated any alternative land to them for religious purposes. 

They submitted their request to Perak MIC chief and state executive councillor Datuk G. Rajoo who attended the annual religious celebrations at the temple on Tuesday.  

Rajoo said it was surprising to note that Nesa, a cooperative for the Indian community, had failed to allocate the land for religious purposes. 

He assured the residents that the temple would not be demolished till the alternative land was found.  

He also promised to talk to Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Tajol Rosli Ghazali to approve a plot of land. 

Comments Off on NESA did not allocate land for temple »

Posted in Indian

Tags: