Malaysia Hindu Sangam proposes digital registration system for temples

 

A town hall meeting on Hindu temples organised by the Malaysia Hindu Sangam was attended by more than 800 people at Jalan Scott in Brickfields, Kuala Lumpur, today.

KUALA LUMPUR: 

The Malaysia Hindu Sangam (MHS) has proposed a Hindu temple digital registration system to simplify and digitise the temple registration process.

This was among the solutions proposed in its memorandum to Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, following a town hall meeting earlier today.

MHS secretary S Vinayagamurthi said the proposed system would ensure a centralised collection of essential data on registered temples.

“We have gathered data from temple committees who shared the issues that they were facing,” he said after a seven-hour long meeting which was attended by temple committees from across the country.

“Only with accurate data can we begin to identify proper and effective solutions to the challenges faced by temples and their committees,” he said in a press conference after the meeting, which was attended by more than 800 people.

Earlier today, MHS submitted a memorandum to a representative of the Prime Minister’s Office. The memorandum outlined various grievances faced by Hindu temple committees nationwide and their possible solutions.

The memorandum also called for a Hindu temple regulatory and registration body to oversee administrative and registration matters, as well as internal temple affairs.

In March, MHS proposed the establishment of the body, citing that it would ensure the proper management of Hindu temples and prevent disputes such as the recent controversy over the relocation of the Dewi Sri Pathrakaliamman temple to make way for a mosque, off Jalan Masjid India, here.

The temple committee eventually agreed to have the temple relocated 50m away to a new site measuring 4,000 sq ft – matching the temple’s current size.

Vinayagamurthi added that the proposed body will be chaired by MHS alongside key Hindu NGOs.

“Moving forward, we want long-term solutions to land and temple registration issues through the implementation of these proposals,” he said.

“This will pave the way for temples to receive government financial aid more smoothly and without obstacles. That is the direction we are heading in.” - FMT