Time to institutionalise temple management

 

ADUN SPEAKS | The management of Hindu temples in Malaysia stands at a critical juncture.

For too long, our houses of worship have operated under the Societies Act 1966 or as isolated private trusts.

These frameworks, originally designed for social clubs, recreational associations, or private individuals, are structurally inadequate for the custodianship of historical religious sites and public community assets.

What we face today is not a religious crisis; it is a governance gap.

The problem: Structural governance gap

Most Hindu temples operate as registered societies or private trusts. This creates several systemic weaknesses:

1. Legal vulnerability

Societies function essentially as private clubs. They lack statutory protection against land disputes, estate redevelopments, or politically motivated claims that label long-standing temples as “illegal.”

Many temples predate the National Land Code (1965), yet they remain exposed to modern technical challenges because they lack institutional protection.

Under a private trust, management often lacks transparency, with decision-making power concentrated in the hands of a few individuals without public accountability.

2. Management inconsistency

Without a central authority, temple committees often face internal disputes over leadership and finances. These disagreements frequently spill into the public domain, becoming viral social media controversies that escalate into communal tensions.

3. The “hate narrative” vacuum

The absence of a formal regulatory body creates space for extremist rhetoric. Historical sites that have existed for over a century are suddenly framed as “unlawful structures,” inflaming racial and religious sensitivities unnecessarily. This is not sustainable.

The solution: Statutory authority

Today, I call upon the federal government and the National Unity Ministry to seriously consider establishing a National Hindu Endowments Board (NHEB) through an Act of Parliament.

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This is not merely a religious request. It is a necessary step toward:

• Administrative maturity

• National stability

• Socio-economic empowerment

• Strengthening national unity through statutory governance

The NHEB would move temple management from “informal” structures to fully recognised public institutions.

From private structures to public institutions

By placing temple management under a statutory authority, we achieve structural certainty:

Land protection in perpetuity. The NHEB would hold land titles in perpetuity, safeguarding temples from private sales, aggressive redevelopment, or estate fragmentation.

Legal recognition of sanctity. The “sanctity of the site” would be legally recognised, immediately neutralising the recurring “illegal structure” rhetoric that often inflames tensions.

Unified national registry. A single federal database of all registered temples would be established. Once listed, a temple’s status is verified and protected. The debate shifts from emotion to documentation.

Compulsory auditing. Mandatory annual audits under federal oversight would ensure total transparency, protecting temple committees from accusations of financial mismanagement and strengthening public trust.

In short, regulation is the enemy of agitation. When there is clear law and structured governance, there is no room for mob narratives.

Governance as a shield against extremism

A lack of regulation creates a vacuum often filled by agitation. When temple management is transparent and government-regulated, there is no opportunity for third parties to hijack temple issues for their mileage.

The Taman Rawang Perdana temple damaged in a demolition

A NHEB would provide a clear, lawful avenue for dispute resolution, ensuring disagreements are settled in boardrooms, not on the streets or social media.

Order, not chaos. Institution, not improvisation.

Unlocking economic potential for the community

We must learn from the proven success of the Penang Hindu Endowments Board (established under the Hindu Endowments Act 1906) and Singapore’s statutory model.

By centralising funds and ensuring rigorous auditing, temple endowments can become engines of upliftment rather than dormant accounts.

A NHEB could mandate that a percentage of pooled income be directed toward:

• Education bursaries

• Small business grants

• Welfare programmes for the B40 Indian community

Temples must evolve into true community hubs, serving both the spiritual and socio-economic needs of the people. This is not merely the protection of heritage. It is empowerment.

Collaborative federal-state framework

Land matters fall under state jurisdiction. This reality must be respected. Therefore, the NHEB should function as a coordinating federal body working collaboratively with state governments to regularise land usage.

The “safe harbour” initiative:

• A 24-month regularisation window can be introduced

• Any historical temple may register with the NHEB.

• Upon registration, it receives immediate legal “safe harbour” protection.

• Long-term land alienation and documentation processes proceed without triggering enforcement action or racial tension.

Additionally, amendments to the National Land Code could introduce a new category, a “Special Religious Reserve”, specifically for land managed under the NHEB.

This creates clarity, not confrontation.

Strategic benefits for the state

The establishment of the NHEB is not only beneficial for the Indian community, but it also benefits the nation.

• Instead of chief ministers or the Prime Minister’s Office having to personally intervene in temple disputes, a professional statutory board handles matters institutionally.

• Governance becomes predictable and depoliticised.

We do not need to reinvent the wheel. Penang and Singapore have already demonstrated that statutory boards produce stability, transparency, and financial growth.

The Indian community deserves institutions that are professional, transparent, and legally secure. The establishment of a NHEB is the most effective way to:

• Protect historical heritage

• Reduce racial tension

• Prevent extremist exploitation

• Strengthen national unity

• Empower the B40 community

• Integrate religious institutions into Malaysia’s national governance framework

This is about order. This is about maturity. This is about building institutions that endure beyond politics. The time to institutionalise temple management is now. - Mkini

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PREAKAS SAMPUNATHAN is the Kota Kemuning assemblyperson.

The views expressed here are those of the author/contributor and do not necessarily represent the views of MMKtT.