National Unity Ministry making unilateral decisions, ignoring religious bodies
THE National Unity Ministry (KPN) has now taken up the role of a “religious body for non-Muslims” and doing things without proper consultation, Malaysia Hindu Sangam (MHS) lashed out.
“They are acting like a big boss, leader for all non-Muslims in the country. The ministry has no courtesy to discuss with us on how to deal with non-Muslims who died due to COVID-19,” its president Datuk RS Mohan Shan told FocusM.
Datuk RS Mohan Shan
Yesterday, its minister Datuk Halimah Mohamed Sadique announced that it has allocated RM1 mil for Pusat Sehenti Sementara, Kuala Lumpur Hospital (HKL) to manage dead bodies belonging to non-Muslims, in a programme called Pusara HKL.
With support from the Housing and Local Government Ministry, half of the amount will be allocated to the Chinese community and rest for the Indian community.
“We have embarked on a cooperation with two non-governmental organisations, Malaysian Society for Disaster Victim and Yayasan Prihatin Wilayah, involving 60 volunteers to provide logistical support for Pusara HKL, “the ministry was reported saying yesterday.
However, Mogan Shan was unimpressed with KPN’s recent programme.
It is note that MHS was in discussion with Health Ministry director general Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah on how to deal with Hindus who died due to COVID-19, as there were reports that irresponsible funeral parlours were hiking up rates exorbitantly, burdening those from the low-income groups.
“It looks like the minister and chief secretary are making their own decisions. I believe the funds are not being directed to HKL but the two NGOs instead,” he claimed.
Yesterday, its minister Datuk Halimah Mohamed Sadique announced that it has allocated RM1 mil for Pusat Sehenti Sementara, Kuala Lumpur Hospital (HKL) to manage dead bodies belonging to non-Muslims, in a programme called Pusara HKL.
With support from the Housing and Local Government Ministry, half of the amount will be allocated to the Chinese community and rest for the Indian community.
“We have embarked on a cooperation with two non-governmental organisations, Malaysian Society for Disaster Victim and Yayasan Prihatin Wilayah, involving 60 volunteers to provide logistical support for Pusara HKL, “the ministry was reported saying yesterday.
However, Mogan Shan was unimpressed with KPN’s recent programme.
It is note that MHS was in discussion with Health Ministry director general Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah on how to deal with Hindus who died due to COVID-19, as there were reports that irresponsible funeral parlours were hiking up rates exorbitantly, burdening those from the low-income groups.
“It looks like the minister and chief secretary are making their own decisions. I believe the funds are not being directed to HKL but the two NGOs instead,” he claimed.
Photo credit: MKN
Piecemeal solution
Mogan Shan also queried the Government on the track record of the two NGOs, adding not much is known about them.
“And you must understand that the funds allocated by KPN came from the Malaysian Indian Transformation Unit (Mitra). It’s not like the Government made a special allocation for this,” he lamented.
On doing final rites for dead Hindus, Mogan Shan stressed that the Government should provide such funds to all public healthcare facilities in the country, not confined to HKL alone.
“Do they think there are only Hindus in Kuala Lumpur? The Government should allocate them across Malaysia.
“And please consult religious bodies like MHS when dealing with a situation involving faith and belief system. I find the lack of consultation very disturbing and upsetting,” he concluded. – Aug 9, 2021.
The National Unity Deputy Minister responsible for non-Muslim affairs is the useless Ti Lian Ker from MCA.
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