Hindu Temples

Preserving and Promoting Temples in Malaysia

Hindu temples have existed in Malaysia for over a thousand years. It is estimated that more than 17,000 temples exist in this country today. Most of the existing old temples were built by the Indians who were brought to Malaysia by the British at the beginning of the 20th century, and are situated on private and government land. As such, Hindu temples face numerous problems in relation to their very existence.

Due to its historical and religious significance, it is important that these temples are preserved. The government, at all levels of its administration, need to assure the Hindus that no Hindu temple would be demolished using force. The Hon. Prime Minister has given this promise at a meeting with leaders of 13 Indian NGO’s on December 14, 2007 and recently implemented a new policy guaranteeing that Hindu temples will not be demolished in the future.

Hindu temples also face numerous obstacles in obtaining visa to bring Hindu priests, sculptors and Indian classical artists and musicians. This issue has become very serious over the years when the government began regulating the number of Hindu priests and artisans from India in the country. As such, Malaysia Hindu Dharma Mamandram (MHDM) welcomes the announcement by the Malaysian government that the visa requlations for Hindu priests will be relaxed.

Recommendations

• Malaysia Hindu Dharma Mamandram and other national level Hindu organizations need to be consulted by the authorities when problems arise during negotiations with temple authorities to relocate existing temples.
• The provision of burial grounds and crematorium facilities for the people is a indicator of a developed society and good government. All state governments in Malaysia shall provide for a separate department for burial grounds and crematorium facilities that will address this need of the people.
• The government needs to implement the announced relaxation of existing rules to allow Hindu priests, sculptors and Indian classical artists and musicians to come from India. This is important for the survival and proper operation of many Hindu temples in the country.
• Also, the government need to approve the setting up of a training college to train those mentioned experts to serve at Malaysian Hindu temples. The government also needs to approve a substantial amount to help set up such an institution.