KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA, January 9, 2008: The President of Malaysia Hindu Sangam, Datuk A. Vaithilingam, met senior officials of the Malaysian Ministry of Home Affairs to discuss the work permits of Hindu temple workers, because their visas are being renewed to a shorter period than the normal schedule. A senior official of the Ministry En. Mat Sor Udin, Senior Secretary of the Minister, explained that all those who had their renewal for a shorter period can appeal to the Minister of Home Affairs for reconsideration.
In view of this, the Malaysia Hindu Sangam calls upon all the leaders of temples affected by this exercise to make their appeals and immediately contact the Malaysia Hindu Sangam as the official channel for their recommendation.
The MHS calls upon the Hindu community to remain calm over this issue, as the Ministry officials have shown their concern to solve this issue in a satisfactory manner. We must also consider the necessity for the Ministry to go through their own process for proper investigation before making their decision.
Those temples which have only obtained 7 days extension of their work permit renewal for their temple sculptors should immediately appeal and get the recommendation letter from Malaysia Hindu Sangam tomorrow at No.67, Jalan PJS 1/48, Taman Petaling Utama 7, 46150 Petaling Jaya between 10.00 AM–6.00 PM. The temple representatives must bring all their relevant documents when they come to our office. For more information please contact Datuk A. Vaithilingam (012-297 0765), Mr. R. Thiagaraja (012-692 5036), Mr. V.Govindarajah (013-323 2167) or Ms. Saraswathy (Office Numbers: 03-7784 4668/4669/4244).