Crematorium fund: Residents demand answers

Indian residents in Serendah have given MIC Youth deputy chief and a temple chairman one week to explain, failing which, they will take the matter to MACC.

HULU SELANGOR: A group of vexed Serendah residents have urged a local MIC leader and a temple committee to reveal the mystery behind the Serendah Hindu crematorium contract.

The Serendah Indian Community Association last month lodged a police report alleging that MIC Youth deputy chief V Mugilan worked in cahoots with certain office bearers of the Sri Selva Vinayagar Temple to take out RM400,000 from a RM2 million fund without authorisation.

The association claimed that the RM400,000 had been withdrawn from the fund without any announcement by the temple committee.

However, Mugilan denied the allegation and lodged a police report against the association’s president and FMT.

Mugilan claimed that the crematorium project was his “brainchild” and the temple committee appointed him as coordinator for the project.

According to him, he was not aware about the dealing between the temple committee and contractor despite Mugilan telling FMT that RM400,000 was used to pay a deposit to the contractor for the project and the amount represented 20% of the cost.

‘Explain, or we go to MACC’

Speaking to FMT, the association’s president K Sathiaseelan said Serendah residents were fed up and angry with Mugilan, after they learned that the latter and the temple committee decided to return the fund to the government.

“This is strange. When people raise questions, Mugilan and the temple committee chairman should answer the questions, not return the money,” he said.

He pointed out that the money was given for the Indian community in Serendah.

“So how come Mugilan and the temple chairman have the ultimate power to return the money without the residents’ knowledge?” he asked, adding that he suspected something was amiss.

“We will give one week to Mugilan and the temple chairman to explain the details of the contracts. If they fail to do so, we will file a complaint with MACC (Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission),” he said.

Despite numerous attempts, Mugilan could not be reached for comment.