PETALING JAYA, MALAYSIA, May 28, 2018 (Malaysia Hindu Sangam): Hindu organizations and Hindu temples are dissatisfied with the proposal of the present Pakatan Harapan government to establish the Hindu Endowment Board. The view that Hindu temples and Hindu temple managements could be controlled through the Hindu Endowment Board (HEB) is not the solution to the issue faced by the temples. Earlier, on 19 May 2018, Malaysia Hindu Sangam (MHS) had called for a meeting with the Hindu Advisory Board, prominent Hindu organizations and Hindu temples for a discussion on the proposed HEB. During the meeting, it was unanimously decided that MHS will spearhead the protest against the formation of HEB in any other states. Following this, a memorandum was submitted to the Prime Minister’s Department and YB Kulasegaran, Minister of Human Resources.

In Malaysia, though Islam is a major religion, other religions are allowed to practice their religion. According to the Department of Statistics Malaysia, among other religions, Buddhists make up 19.8%, Christians 9.2%, and Hindus 6.3%. When there is no government intervention in any other religion or places of worship, why the Hindu religion, which is the smallest group alone should be subjected to control? The proposed model of Penang Hindu Endowment Board (PHEB) has many flaws. The PHEB is under the full control of the State Government. The appointment of the management committees of the temples under the PHEB are not elected by the Hindu community but appointed by the state government. The Hindus or the members of the temples have no say in the management.

Since 1964, MHS as the mother body for the Hindu temples and organizations had fought to protect the religion and the rights of the Hindus.

Source: http://www.malaysiahindusangam.org/2018/05/28/mhs-do-not-support-the-proposed-hindu-endowment-board/