Posts Tagged ‘Selangor’

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Rest in Peace Hindu Sangam

January 5th, 2008
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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.

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selangor govt ask temples to setup committee

January 5th, 2008
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6 months to form a committee? Surely the temple people can do better than govt style! Two weeks at the most to form a committee enough la.
 
Hindu Sangam's response?
 

Form board on temple construction

RAWANG: The Selangor government has called on Hindu temples to set up a committee to coordinate guidelines for the construction of temples in the state. 

Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Mohamad Khir Toyo said the committee was crucial in ensuring that temples were constructed in accordance with state regulations.  

“We don't want temples being built without approval. Suggestions from this will be discussed at the executive council level before approval (for building new temples) is given,” he said after attending a meeting with heads of Hindu temple committees here yesterday. 

Dr Mohamad Khir added that he hoped the committee could be formed within six months. – Bernama  

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Selangor to assist in funeral expenses

January 4th, 2008
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By : Arman Ahmad

KUALA LUMPUR: The Selangor government will pay RM2,000 for the funeral expenses of Selangor residents above 60 years of age, regardless of race or religion.

But Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Mohamad Khir Toyo said only people who had stayed in the state for 15 years are qualified to receive the aid.

The assistance will also be available to families of the disabled, regardless of age.

Dr Khir said the benefit was the state's way of repaying the people for helping Selangor achieve encouraging economic growth.

"This is one way of saying thanks to the people for helping the state prosper," he said when launching the fund at Dewan Beringin, Taman Seri Gombak.

A sum of RM1 million had been allocated to the fund, with the state government committing to annual allocations.

In the event of a death, relatives should obtain a form from the nearest district or state assemblyman's office.

The form should be submitted along with the death certificate, proof of kinship, a copy of the applicant's identity card or disabled persons registration card to the district office.

Proof of residence is also needed from a state assemblyman, village headman, chairman of the Village Development and Security Committee (JKKK), mosque supervisor or housing estate chairman.

The scheme was approved in November by the Selangor state assembly.

"Selangor has been achieving strong economic success with a growth rate of 6.3 per cent compared with the federal growth rate of six per cent.

"With this increase in revenue, more programmes can be carried out in the state."

Dr Khir said the state had also received RM201 million in tithes last year.

"When I first became MB, I told state religious authorities that I wanted to target RM40 million in tithes annually and they said it was impossible.

"Now our tithe collection is three times more than in the Federal Territories.

"This is a blessed state. I believe in the concept that if you are willing to give, then you will get even more in return," he added.

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hindu reps fighting each other now

January 3rd, 2008
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Barely 6 weeks after Hindraf rally, these jokers are into it again. Splitting the community with their own groups, councils and whatnots.

Where is Malaysian Hindu Sangam? They always seemed to release press statements on time. Have they been left out in the cold since meeting with PM?

Every participant to the meeting should bring video cameras, tape recorders and other recording devices so that everything is captured clearly.

Temples: Don't meet with poseurs, Khir urged
http://malaysiakini.com/news/76651
K Kabilan | Jan 3, 08 6:56pm

A group of Indian NGOs today objected to a meeting to be held tomorrow between Selangor Menteri Besar Dr Mohd Khir Toyo and several Hindu temple representatives over the issue of temple demolitions in the state. 

The main crux of their complaint is the credibility of the newly-formed umbrella body that claims to represent Hindu temples and Hindu-based organisations in Malaysia and its chairperson R Nadarajah (left).

“Nadarajah and the organisation he leads – the Malaysian Hindu Council (MHC) – is not the most credible and recognised group in the community,” said N Mahendran representing 29 Indian-based NGOs.

“Nadarajah and the Malaysian Hindu Council have allowed the desecration of the holiest Hindu place of worship in Malaysia and the region,” he told Malaysiakini.

Mahendran was referring to the violent dispersal by police of a large crowd who had gathered peacefully at the compound of the Batu Caves Hindu temple in the early hours of Nov 25 last year.

The crowd had arrived there prior to participating in the much-talked about Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) organised rally in Kuala Lumpur later that morning.

The police have said that they had acted after they were called in by the Batu Caves temple management committee, which Nadarajah heads.

Mahendran said that the Malaysian Hindu Council only came onto the local scene in recent months.

“Only a handful of NGOs are aware of their existence and as such they can’t truly and honestly represent the interests of the community,” he said, adding that a more accepted established body, the Malaysian Hindu Sangam, should attend such meetings with government leaders.

Election gimmick

The Seremban-based Indian Malaysian Active Generation also felt that the Malaysian Hindu Sangam was a more appropriate body to talk to Khir on matters pertaining to Hindu temple demolitions.

Its spokesperson Yohan Vivegananthan questioned why Nadarajah’s group had suddenly come into the picture talking about protecting temples.

“Why only now? Where was this Malaysian Hindu Council during the demolition of the many Hindu temples in Selangor?” he asked. 

He said that the meeting organised by Nadarajah’s MHC was merely ‘an election gimmick’ to hoodwink the community into believing that something was now being done to protect Hindu temples from demolition. 

Another vocal grassroots movement, Group of Concerned Citizens (GCC), also raised the credibility issue not just of Nadarajah’s but also of Khir’s in holding their meeting tomorrow. 

“Both of them have played direct or indirect roles in the desecration of Hindu temples in the state,” GCC’s coordinator Charles Santiago (right) told Malaysiakini.

He said Nadarajah should first apologise to the community for allowing the police to enter the Batu Caves temple compound on Nov 25 last year.

As for Khir, Santiago said that the Selangor menteri besar had allowed many Hindu temples in the state to be demolished without listening to the pleas of devotees.

“How can they then talk about protecting temples?” he asked.

‘They were trespassing’

The meeting tomorrow between Nadarajah’s MHC and Khir will be the first of its kind.

“We are calling on all temples in Selangor to provide us with the information […] all issues can be solved (at the meeting),” Nadarajah said in a statement last week. 

He also said that the Malaysian Hindu Council will be gathering information, among others on the size, land ownership and registration of Hindu temples. 

According to the state government, there are between 800 and 900 Hindu temples – both big and small – in Selangor.

On the Nov 25 crowd that had gathered at the Batu Caves temple, Nadarajah claimed that the crowd had trespassed into the temple and caused damage.

“Temple property (was) damaged. We need to lodge a police report to claim the insurance money. We never lodged a report against anybody but only on the trespassing,” he said.

The controversial meeting tomorrow was originally scheduled for 4.30 pm at the Batu Caves temple but the venue has now been shifted to the Prangsang Templar Park Golf Club in Rawang.

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indian places missing from shah alam directory

January 2nd, 2008
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Well, I for one can say that there's no indication that SJKT Renggam exists in Shah Alam. In fact, one would be surprised to know that the schools exists in the heart of Section 18, near the Giant hypermarket. So much for our MBSA and khir toyo. Many of the places have no proper direction arrows or signboards.
 
Can we safely say this situation exists in nearly all the towns and cities in malaysia? But of course, this is not ethnic cleansing or marginalisation or whatever technical terms used. I bet this is just a oversight or lack of resources issues 🙂
 
 
 

'Indian' places missing from Shah Alam map

http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/76585
Yoges Palaniappan | Jan 2, 08 4:24pm

The Shah Alam City Council (MBSA) will have plenty of explaining to do to a resident who is upset that places of importance to Indian Malaysians have been left out of the council's street directory. 

N Nganasegaran from Taman Sri Muda has sent a letter of complaint to mayor Mazalan Mohd Noor, stating that MBSA has failed to provide such information “as required in a multiracial country" in its official map.

The letter was handed to a receptionist at MBSA this morning, as both the mayor and his secretary were not in the office, he said when contacted.

He has sent copies to Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi (photo), Deputy Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak, Selangor Menteri Besar Dr Mohd Khir Toyo, MIC president S Samy Vellu and PPP president M Kayveas.

In the letter, he listed several other locations that should have been included in the street directory.

Among them is the Sri Maha Mariamman temple in Section 7 which he claimed was built more than a decade ago.

"The temple is not mentioned, but a newly-built market is listed… the directory also lists a fire station that has yet to be built,” he said.
"We're concerned because Hindu temples, which are (at the heart) of the Indian community, have been left out.”

Other missing locations are the Sri Puvaneswary Amman temple in Section 16; SJK (T) Sungai Renggam in Section 18; and an Indian cemetery in Section 21.

Cemetery gazetted?

Nganasegaran claimed that many Indian Malaysians in Shah Alam are not aware of the existence of the Indian cemetery.

"They go to cemeteries in nearby towns because they don't know about this cemetery. We also want to know whether this cemetery has been gazetted because there are no signboards indicating its location," he said.

"Non-Muslim cemeteries are not indicated in the directory as has been done with the Muslim cemeteries."

He added that a directory is the most basic guide to locations, regardless of its relation to any race or religion.

"The question is whether the planning department of MBSA will give genuine and considerable attention to the matters raised,” he said.

The mayor could not be contacted for comment.

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