FMT:
No reason to quit as PHEB chairman, says Rayer
RSN Rayer rubbishes claim by ex-assemblyman M Satees, says he is fully aware state government will retain full control of Hindu endowments board.
RSN Rayer said parking PHEB under the national unity ministry could see higher allocations for the board. (Bernama pic)
GEORGE TOWN: Penang Hindu Endowments Board (PHEB) chairman RSN Rayer has dismissed calls for his resignation over his comments on the board being placed under the purview of the national unity ministry.
M Satees, a former PHEB commissioner and ex-assemblyman, had accused Rayer of “confusing” the public with his comments after the ministry’s announcement on the new placement last Friday.
In welcoming the announcement, Rayer, the Jelutong MP, said he hoped the takeover of supervision by the unity ministry would see the board receive large financial grants.
In a statement, Satees said Rayer’s comment implied that he did not know the state government would still be in control of PHEB and, thus, should step down.
In response, Rayer said he was aware that parking PHEB under the national unity ministry does not take away its autonomy as the 1906 Hindu Endowments Ordinance states that the Penang governor appoints PHEB commissioners on the advice of the Penang chief minister.
He said placing PHEB under a federal ministry is nothing new as it had been placed under the human resources ministry in the past.
“We still have the freedom to do our work as far as PHEB is concerned, and we will remain under the auspices of the Penang government,” he told FMT.
“I just commented that placing it under the ministry would give us more access to grants. So, why should I resign?”
He also said the announcement shows that Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim “cares about the welfare of Hindus and the Indian community”, as well as the affairs of the board.
According to Rayer, the move will allow PHEB to seek help from the ministry if there are issues with regards to temple management.
Yesterday, national unity minister Aaron Ago Dagang assured the Penang government that it still has full control over PHEB.
Responding to Penang chief minister Chow Kon Yeow’s claim that the state government was not consulted over the move, he said the federal government, through his ministry, will only monitor PHEB under the Ministerial Functions Act 1969.
The ministry will also present PHEB’s annual reports and financial statements to the Cabinet and Parliament.
GEORGE TOWN: Penang Hindu Endowments Board (PHEB) chairman RSN Rayer has dismissed calls for his resignation over his comments on the board being placed under the purview of the national unity ministry.
M Satees, a former PHEB commissioner and ex-assemblyman, had accused Rayer of “confusing” the public with his comments after the ministry’s announcement on the new placement last Friday.
In welcoming the announcement, Rayer, the Jelutong MP, said he hoped the takeover of supervision by the unity ministry would see the board receive large financial grants.
In a statement, Satees said Rayer’s comment implied that he did not know the state government would still be in control of PHEB and, thus, should step down.
In response, Rayer said he was aware that parking PHEB under the national unity ministry does not take away its autonomy as the 1906 Hindu Endowments Ordinance states that the Penang governor appoints PHEB commissioners on the advice of the Penang chief minister.
He said placing PHEB under a federal ministry is nothing new as it had been placed under the human resources ministry in the past.
“We still have the freedom to do our work as far as PHEB is concerned, and we will remain under the auspices of the Penang government,” he told FMT.
“I just commented that placing it under the ministry would give us more access to grants. So, why should I resign?”
He also said the announcement shows that Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim “cares about the welfare of Hindus and the Indian community”, as well as the affairs of the board.
According to Rayer, the move will allow PHEB to seek help from the ministry if there are issues with regards to temple management.
Yesterday, national unity minister Aaron Ago Dagang assured the Penang government that it still has full control over PHEB.
Responding to Penang chief minister Chow Kon Yeow’s claim that the state government was not consulted over the move, he said the federal government, through his ministry, will only monitor PHEB under the Ministerial Functions Act 1969.
The ministry will also present PHEB’s annual reports and financial statements to the Cabinet and Parliament.
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