Mitra’s RM5m funding for temple construction questioned

Parti Negara has urged the Malaysian Indian Transformation Unit (Mitra) to justify its decision to allocate RM5 million for the construction of a Hindu temple in Putrajaya.

According to party vice-president S Gobi Krishnan (photo), funding for such purposes should not come from Mitra, which is under the purview of Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department P Waythamoorthy.

“How can an RM5 million allocation for the construction of a temple empower the economy of the Indian community? Is temple allocations part of Mitra’s policy? If so, why aren’t other temples getting it (allocations),” Gobi questioned when contacted byMalaysiakini.

He further claimed that Mitra had promised to accord the same temple another RM5 million under next year’s allocation, making the total allocation for its construction RM10 million.

“I am not objecting to the government allocating (funds) to places of worship. However, it needs to come from special or additional funds. Not from Mitra,” he added.

He claimed this made Mitra no different to the Socio-Economic Development of the Indian Community Unit (Sedic) -- as Mitra was previously known -- during BN’s administration.

“Previously, we criticised Sedic allocations as not transparent and bias. Now, Mitra is doing the same thing,” Gobi alleged while questioning Mitra’s decision not to reveal the RM5 million funding on its main website.

Meanwhile, Gobi further alleged that a DAP leader was using his or her position as an assemblyperson to obtain Mitra allocation for an NGO run by the assemblyperson’s spouse.

The NGO allegedly obtained up to RM101,800 in Mitra funding.

“I have proof that the assemblyperson took his or her spouse to meet with Mitra officials for the allocation,” he claimed.

Malaysiakini has contacted Mitra, which responded that it would issue a press statement on the matters in the near future. - Mkini