Malaysian Hindu Sangam president A. Vaithilingam has urged temple leaders to unite in protecting the rights of temples that are being run by lower-income groups. – datukvaithilingam.wordpress pic, March 29, 2025
Fight against casteism: ex-Hindu Sangam president urges temple leaders to support the marginalised
A. Vaithilingam calls for Indian community to unite and fight against the neglect of Hindu temples run by lower-income groups instead of only protecting the interests of the elites
Sandru Narayanan
Updated 7 hours ago
29 March, 2025
8:00 AM MYT
KUALA LUMPUR – Hindu temple groups should avoid practising casteism and unite in protecting the rights of temples that are being run by lower-income groups, says former Malaysian Hindu Sangam (MHS) president Datuk A. Vaithilingam.
Vaithilingam’s response came after Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Federal Territories) Datuk Seri Dr Zaliha Mustafa’s recent announcement that the 130-year-old Dewi Sri Pathrakaliamman Temple would be relocated to a new site.
The new location, covering 4,000 sqft – equivalent to the temple’s current site – is part of Lot PT 95, Section 40, Mukim Bandar Kuala Lumpur.
The government has assured that no demolition will take place at the existing temple, which will continue operating until the relocation process is completed in a peaceful manner.
Speaking to Scoop, Vaithilingam said that in recent years, the Indian community has become segregated, with elite temple groups prioritising their own interests and neglecting those of the lower-income temple groups.
It is understood that the Sri Maha Mariamman group is the largest Hindu temple group in the country, owning iconic temples such as the Sri Subramaniar Swamy Temple Batu Caves and the Court Hill Sri Ganesar Temple.
“Honestly, under my leadership, we didn’t pick and choose, and we didn’t practice anything related to casteism. We were the voice of many temples run by people from lower-income backgrounds – helping them as much as we could to allow them to operate their temples on land granted to them during the colonial era.
“During my time, through our special committee, we identified around 5,000 temples across the peninsula and literally educated all of them on how to purchase and register the land with the government as many of the land plots were sold by estate owners to the government after independence.
“Nowadays, things are very different as society is segregated and the elite groups are only protecting and speaking for wealthy temples which have substantial funds. Meanwhile, temples run by lower-income groups are left abandoned and lack proper representation.
“I can’t say for sure if casteism is being practised nowadays, but the unity among the Indian community in protecting the rights of temples to exist in our country is not as strong as it was back in the day.
“I believe that the current MHS administration is doing its job, but I still feel that more needs to be done to represent the temples run by lower-income groups. They must find a way to protect their interests,” said Vaithilingam, who served as MHS president from 1996 to 2009.
Meanwhile, Vaithilingam also said that the government should provide grants to help lower-income temple groups support the maintenance, renovation, and development of these places of worship, ensuring they continue to serve their communities effectively.
“The government has been playing its part, but more needs to be done to protect the temples, ensuring they are well-maintained. Many temples are still not recognised.
“Therefore, by providing grants to these temples, they can be saved from issues such as land relocations and demolitions,” Vaithilingam added.
As of December last year, it was reported that the government had allocated a total of RM46.1 million in grants to 422 non-Muslim places of worship across the country. Of these, 147 Hindu temples received a combined RM19.1 million in funding, as reported by the Housing and Local Government Ministry.
According to state-wise distribution, the highest number of Hindu temples receiving funding was in Selangor, with a total of 33 temples. Following closely were Perak with 32 temples, and Johor with 19 temples. Melaka and Negri Sembilan received grants for 15 and 14 temples, respectively, while Kedah had 12 temples funded. Pahang saw eight temples benefit from the grants, and Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya, and Labuan each had 6 temples receiving support.
Penang had three temples funded, while Kelantan, which has a relatively smaller Hindu population, saw 2 temples receive funding. Sabah also had 3 temples that were granted funding.
The amount of funding allocated to each temple varied significantly, with the highest grant reaching up to RM250,000, while the lowest amount received by a temple was RM14,495. – March 29, 2025
Fight against casteism: ex-Hindu Sangam president urges temple leaders to support the marginalised
A. Vaithilingam calls for Indian community to unite and fight against the neglect of Hindu temples run by lower-income groups instead of only protecting the interests of the elites
Sandru Narayanan
Updated 7 hours ago
29 March, 2025
8:00 AM MYT
KUALA LUMPUR – Hindu temple groups should avoid practising casteism and unite in protecting the rights of temples that are being run by lower-income groups, says former Malaysian Hindu Sangam (MHS) president Datuk A. Vaithilingam.
Vaithilingam’s response came after Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Federal Territories) Datuk Seri Dr Zaliha Mustafa’s recent announcement that the 130-year-old Dewi Sri Pathrakaliamman Temple would be relocated to a new site.
The new location, covering 4,000 sqft – equivalent to the temple’s current site – is part of Lot PT 95, Section 40, Mukim Bandar Kuala Lumpur.
The government has assured that no demolition will take place at the existing temple, which will continue operating until the relocation process is completed in a peaceful manner.
Speaking to Scoop, Vaithilingam said that in recent years, the Indian community has become segregated, with elite temple groups prioritising their own interests and neglecting those of the lower-income temple groups.
It is understood that the Sri Maha Mariamman group is the largest Hindu temple group in the country, owning iconic temples such as the Sri Subramaniar Swamy Temple Batu Caves and the Court Hill Sri Ganesar Temple.
“Honestly, under my leadership, we didn’t pick and choose, and we didn’t practice anything related to casteism. We were the voice of many temples run by people from lower-income backgrounds – helping them as much as we could to allow them to operate their temples on land granted to them during the colonial era.
“During my time, through our special committee, we identified around 5,000 temples across the peninsula and literally educated all of them on how to purchase and register the land with the government as many of the land plots were sold by estate owners to the government after independence.
“Nowadays, things are very different as society is segregated and the elite groups are only protecting and speaking for wealthy temples which have substantial funds. Meanwhile, temples run by lower-income groups are left abandoned and lack proper representation.
“I can’t say for sure if casteism is being practised nowadays, but the unity among the Indian community in protecting the rights of temples to exist in our country is not as strong as it was back in the day.
“I believe that the current MHS administration is doing its job, but I still feel that more needs to be done to represent the temples run by lower-income groups. They must find a way to protect their interests,” said Vaithilingam, who served as MHS president from 1996 to 2009.
Meanwhile, Vaithilingam also said that the government should provide grants to help lower-income temple groups support the maintenance, renovation, and development of these places of worship, ensuring they continue to serve their communities effectively.
“The government has been playing its part, but more needs to be done to protect the temples, ensuring they are well-maintained. Many temples are still not recognised.
“Therefore, by providing grants to these temples, they can be saved from issues such as land relocations and demolitions,” Vaithilingam added.
As of December last year, it was reported that the government had allocated a total of RM46.1 million in grants to 422 non-Muslim places of worship across the country. Of these, 147 Hindu temples received a combined RM19.1 million in funding, as reported by the Housing and Local Government Ministry.
According to state-wise distribution, the highest number of Hindu temples receiving funding was in Selangor, with a total of 33 temples. Following closely were Perak with 32 temples, and Johor with 19 temples. Melaka and Negri Sembilan received grants for 15 and 14 temples, respectively, while Kedah had 12 temples funded. Pahang saw eight temples benefit from the grants, and Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya, and Labuan each had 6 temples receiving support.
Penang had three temples funded, while Kelantan, which has a relatively smaller Hindu population, saw 2 temples receive funding. Sabah also had 3 temples that were granted funding.
The amount of funding allocated to each temple varied significantly, with the highest grant reaching up to RM250,000, while the lowest amount received by a temple was RM14,495. – March 29, 2025
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