Source: Press Release
PETALING JAYA, MALAYSIA, May 5, 2002: The following are excerpts from the keynote address by A. Vaithilingam, president, Malaysia Hindu Sangam, at their 25th annual general meting. “On the religious front, the Sangam together with other organizations have started the training of teachers program. En. M. Batumalai from the Sangam and Dr. N.S. Rajendran of the Malaysian Hindu Dharma Mamandram have the task of carrying out this program throughout the country. In the meantime, we call upon all the temples to have religious talks every Friday after the Pooja. Such programs have already started in Kuala Lumpur and Petaling Jaya. … Places of worship still poses a major problem, although some of the issues have been solved with the help of the local authorities and the state and local MIC leaders. I must here show our appreciation to Y.B. Dato’ Seri Dr. S. Samy Vellu for his firm and swift action on numerous problems that arose such as the relocation of temples for KTM’s dual track (rail) programs from Sentul to Batu Caves and also from Rawang to Ipoh. … Again, the Sangam appeals to the federal and respective state governments to legalize temples which are on land allocated by employers over the years. Many of these temples have been in existence at its location for a very long time. … The temples in Malaysia are facing great difficulties in having properly trained priests in their temples. We are puzzled with the Immigration Department’s latest ruling on foreign priests to be over 50 years of age. In the meantime, the Sangam together with Malaysia Hindu Archagars (Priests) Association and the Malaysia Hindu Dharma Mamandram have prepared proposals to be submitted to the relevant authorities for the training of priests. … The Sangam as the representative body for Hindus in Malaysia is moving towards greater development for Malaysian Hindus. At the same time we extend our hands with offers of peace and harmony to all Muslims, Buddhists, Taoists, Christians and Sikhs. We call upon people of all religions to understand each other and not just tolerate one another. … I am happy to inform you that Yatra Worldwide, a joint venture between the Malaysia Hindu Sangam, and the Malaysian Hindu Yatra (pilgrimage) Cooperative Society together with the assistance of Major (Rtd) Kathiresapathy and the Paradise Travels will be launched by Y.B. Dato’ Seri Dr. S. Samy Vellu today. The Sangam has been conducting the Kasi Rameswara Yatra since 1997 and we have now decided to go with a more professional approach. We urge all concerned to give this new venture your full support. This company will also handle many other tours while individual and group bookings for travels can also be made.