{"id":6512,"date":"2008-01-04T12:00:00","date_gmt":"2008-01-04T12:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.hinduismtoday.com\/hpi\/2008\/01\/04\/malaysia-hindu-sangam-calls-for-urgent-reforms-for-disadvantaged-indian-malaysians\/"},"modified":"2008-01-04T12:00:00","modified_gmt":"2008-01-04T12:00:00","slug":"malaysia-hindu-sangam-calls-for-urgent-reforms-for-disadvantaged-indian-malaysians","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.hinduismtoday.com\/hpi\/2008\/01\/04\/malaysia-hindu-sangam-calls-for-urgent-reforms-for-disadvantaged-indian-malaysians\/","title":{"rendered":"Malaysia Hindu Sangam Calls for Urgent Reforms for Disadvantaged Indian Malaysians"},"content":{"rendered":"<p class=\"source\"><a HREF=\"http:\/\/www.hindusangam.org.my\/news\/?id=70\">www.hindusangam.org.my<\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"summary\">KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYASIA, January 3, 2008: (HPI Note: This is a press release by Datuk A Vaithilingam, representing the Coalition of Malaysian Indian NGOs.)<\/p>\n<p>I am here today as chairman of a group of more than 120 Indian based non governmental organizations. All of us acknowledge that there are issues of very grave concern facing the Indian community in Malaysia. Socio-economic woes, the constant attacks on freedom of religion and the unfeeling manner in which Hindu temples have been demolished of late have left the Indian community in Malaysia feeling depressed and fearful. There is, without doubt, a serious problem. It is one that we are committed to overcoming. We hear the pleas of those who were forced by their circumstances to protest recently. We are anxious to work together with all Malaysians to build a better home for all of us.<\/p>\n<p>To that end, I would like to thank our Prime Minister for having shown his caring attitude and acted very quickly on some of the issues raised by Indian NGOs at our meeting with him on 14th December 2007.In that regard, we take note the release of 5 students unconditionally and of 26 others on bail, and the dropping of the attempted murder charges. In tandem with the above we hope the 5 persons detained under the Internal Security Act would be immediately released and if at all their actions are criminal in nature, they should be charged in Court and allowed to defend themselves.<\/p>\n<p>We are confident that the Prime Minister will give due consideration to the aspirations and views of NGOs who deal with the grassroots. We are also pleased to hear that temples to be demolished due to development would be allocated acceptable alternate sites before such action is taken and that the Government has decided to allocate payments for the construction of such temples.<\/p>\n<p>The NGOs who have come together are some of the most influential and hardworking who have deep roots within the community. Some of them have independently submitted numerous Memorandums to the government citing the plight of the Indians and proposed objectives remedies which was not fully acted upon. The non action of the government has led to one of the major discontentments which is the feeling of alienation. In this respect we request the government to immediately initiate a &#8220;Policy of Inclusion&#8221; which must ensure the participation of Indians in all levels of decision making process.<\/p>\n<p>Looking forward we have come to a consensus on some specific immediate measures in the short term and some broad policy statements for the long term for implementation by the Prime Minister and Government. This initiative covers a proposal on the setting up of an Independent Non Political Task Force to design and develop specific programmes with respect to the suggested proposals. These proposals include among others a moratorium on demolition of places of worship, education, economic opportunities and employment. Further It also includes the setting up of a Community Development Fund to be managed by the aforementioned Task Force to provide incentives to independent, non political NGOs to implement community empowerment programmes.<\/p>\n<p>We have submitted this &#8220;Preliminary Statement: Urgent reforms for disadvantaged Indian-Malaysians&#8221; directly to the Prime Minister&#8217;s Office on the 28th December 2007, a copy of the same is attached herewith. We are confident that these proposals will receive due consideration, and look forward to seeing its immediate implementation. We have no doubt that if all parties work together sincerely, all Malaysians will support these nation building efforts to develop our unity and harmony in our country.<\/p>\n<p>Click <a HREF=\"http:\/\/www.hindusangam.org.my\/news\/index.php?id=69\">here<\/a> for the document  &#8220;Preliminary Statement: Urgent reforms for disadvantaged Indian-Malaysians&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Signed Datuk A Vaithilingam, PJN, SSA, AMN, ASA, PJK, for and on behalf of the Indian based organisations listed below.<\/p>\n<p><b>Organisation Members of Coalition of Malaysian Indian NGOs (CMIO):<\/b><br \/>1. Malaysia Hindu Sangam (inclusive of 1761 Hindu Temples)<br \/>2. Sri Murugan Centre<br \/>3. Educational, Welfare and Research Foundation Malaysia<br \/>4. Malaysian Associated Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry<br \/>5. Child Information, Learning and Development Centre<br \/>6. Malaysian Hindu Youth Council<br \/>7. Temple of Fine Arts Malaysia<br \/>8. Majlis Kelab Bell Belia Tamil Malaysia<br \/>9. Malaysian Indian Business Association<br \/>10. Malaysia Hindu Dharma Mamandram<br \/>11. Persatuan Telugu Malaysia<br \/>12. All Malaysia Malayalee Association<br \/>13. Yayasan Penyelidikan dan Pembangunan Pendidikan Tamil Malaysia (Tamil Foundation)<br \/>14. Education and Research Association of Consumer, Malaysia<br \/>15. Malaysian Dravidian Association<br \/>16. Malaysian Archagar Sangam<br \/>17. Group of Concerned Citizens<br \/>18. Saiva Siddhanta Mandram Malaysia<br \/>19. Malaysia Hindu Sevai Sangam<br \/>20. Malaysian Indian Development Association<br \/>21. Malaysian Association of Indian University Graduates<br \/>22. Federation of Indian Non-Governmental Organisations<br \/>23. Rudra Devi Samaj Malaysia<br \/>24. Malaysia Arulneri Thirukootam<br \/>25. Malaysian Indian Metal Traders Association<br \/>26. Persatuan Sangkara Malaysia<br \/>27. Malaysian Indian Entrepreneurs and Professionals<br \/>28. Malaysian Indian Historical Association<br \/>29. Nationwide Human Development and Research Centre<br \/>30. Thiruvarul Thavaneri Mandram Malaysia<br \/>31. Persatuan Meditasi Malaysia (Dhyana Ashram)<br \/>32. Malaysian Indian Youth Development Foundation<br \/>33. Malaysian Ceylon Saivites Association<br \/>34. Klang Consumer Association<br \/>35. Penang Indian Entrepreneurs and Professionals<br \/>36. Thiruvalluvar Nanneri Mayam Cameron Highlands<br \/>37. Persatuan Kebajikan Dan Sosial Kamakshi Wilayah Utara<br \/>38. Divine Life Society PJ<br \/>39. World Tamil Federation &#8211; Malaysian Chapter<br \/>40. Malaysia Indian Progressive Educational Society<br \/>41. Malaysia Thanavasiya Association<br \/>42. Astronomical Research Society of Selangor State<br \/>43. Malaysian Indian Development &#038; Unity Association<br \/>44. Malaysia Lekshmi Pooja Meditation Society<br \/>45. Persatuan Kebajikan Namakkal Malaysia<br \/>46. Selangor Indian Entrepreneurs and Professionals<br \/>47. The New Millennium Indian Business Association of Malaysia<br \/>48. Persatuan Kebajikan Vanniar Malaysia<br \/>49. Persatuan Prihatin Belia Malaysia<br \/>50. Persatuan Kemajuan Pendidikan Malaysia<br \/>51. Persatuan Seni Kebudayaan Thamil, Pulau Pinang<br \/>52. Pure Life Society<br \/>53. Saiva Sivaneri Mandram Malaysia<br \/>54. Malaysia Tamil Neri Kalagam<br \/>55. Gayathrie Peedam Malaysia<br \/>56. Malaysian Tamil Artiste Association<br \/>57. Sundararaja Perumal Devasthanam Klang<br \/>58. Centre of Education. Research and Development (CEDAR)<br \/>59. Malaysia Hindu Associates of Graduates<br \/>60. Persatuan Silambam Malaysia<br \/>61. Athi Shankarar Thirupeedam<br \/>62. Panniru Thirumurai Valarchi Maiyam<br \/>63. Indian Builders Association of Malaysia<br \/>64. Persatuan Mukkulatthor Malaysia<br \/>65. Indian Malaysian Active Generation (IMAGE)<br \/>66. Kuala Lumpur Hindu Youth Organisation (KLHYO)<br \/>67. Tamilar Sangam, Teluk Intan<br \/>68. Kuala Lumpur Indian Entrepreneurs and Professionals<br \/>69. Gabungan Pertubuhan-pertubuhan Masyarakat India Selangor<br \/>70. Penang Hindu Saba<br \/>71. Persatuan Belia &#038; Rekreasi India Daerah Timur Laut Pulau Pinang<br \/>72. Persatuan India Bandar Farlim<br \/>73. Penang Indian Contractor Association<br \/>74. Persatuan Kebajikan MGR<br \/>75. Saiva Nartpani Mandram Malaysia<br \/>76. Persatuan dewan Perniagaan India Perak<br \/>77. Persatuan Pengedar Akhbar Tamil Perak<br \/>78. Persatuan Pon Pavalar Mandram Ipoh<br \/>79. Persatuan Tamilar Thirunaal Setiawan Perak<br \/>80. Persatuan Vallalaar Anbu Nilayam<br \/>81. Persatuan Paavanar Tamil Mandram Ipoh<br \/>82. Kelab Bell Belia India Tamil Perak<br \/>83. Kelab Belia India Tamil Gopeng<br \/>84. Persatuan Bekas Guru-guru India Perak<br \/>85. Yayasan Pembangunan Bahasa Tamil Negeri Perak<br \/>86. Persatuan Thiruvalluvar Natpani Iyakkam Perak<br \/>87. Persatuan Pergabung Tamil Malaysia<br \/>88. Persatuan Tamilar Sangam Ipoh<br \/>89. Persatuan Aruloli Mandram, Malaysia<br \/>90. Persatuan Kebajikan Artis-artis Tamil Perak<br \/>91. Ipoh Arulneri Thirukootam<br \/>92. Naveena Ilakkya Sinthanai Air Tawar<br \/>93. Fedarasi Kaum Tamil Sedunia Malaysia<br \/>94. Persatuan Kebajikan India Malaysia<br \/>95. Pertubuhan Penganut Ajaran Sri Vaisana Paribala Sabha Malaysia<br \/>96. Persatuan Kebajikan Masyarakat dan Social Kaum India<br \/>97. Sri Vadivelu Culture &#038; Welfare Associatiion State of Selangor<br \/>98. Selangor Indian Video Graphics Association<br \/>99. Persatuan Kebajikan Bharatham Selangor<br \/>100. Pertubuhan Kesedaran Hare Krishna Klang<br \/>101. Persatuan Pembaca Tamil Klang<br \/>102. Klang Valarum Kalai Pannai<br \/>103. Vishnu Periyaval Sabai<br \/>104. Pamban Swami Maha Teja Mandala Sabai<br \/>105. Seremban Tamilar Sangam<br \/>106. Nadaraikia Sangam, Selangor State<br \/>107. Persahabatan Semparuthi<br \/>108. Johor Tamizhar Sangam<br \/>109. Persatuan Kebajikan India Johor<br \/>110. Persatuan Kelab Bell Belia Tamil Taman Universiti Johor Bahru<br \/>111. Persatuan Telegu Malaysia Cawangan Negeri Johor<br \/>112. Persatuan Teksi dan Kereta Sewa India Johor<br \/>113. Persatuan Kebajikan dan Kemasyarakatan Tamil Simpang Renggam<br \/>114. Persatuan Artis Tamil Malaysia Negeri JOHOR<br \/>115. Kebajikan Tamil Thalabathy Johor Bahru<br \/>116. Persatuan Penduduk Taman Bukit Indah<br \/>117. Persatuan Penduduk-Penduduk Kaum India Nusa Bestari II<br \/>118. Persatuan Penduduk-Penduduk Kaum India Pasir Gudang<br \/>119. Persatuan Penduduk-Penduduk Kaum India Permas Jaya<br \/>120. Child Development Initiative<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>www.hindusangam.org.my KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYASIA, January 3, 2008: (HPI Note: This is a press release by Datuk A Vaithilingam, representing the,&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-6512","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.hinduismtoday.com\/hpi\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6512","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.hinduismtoday.com\/hpi\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.hinduismtoday.com\/hpi\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.hinduismtoday.com\/hpi\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.hinduismtoday.com\/hpi\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=6512"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.hinduismtoday.com\/hpi\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6512\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.hinduismtoday.com\/hpi\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=6512"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.hinduismtoday.com\/hpi\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=6512"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.hinduismtoday.com\/hpi\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=6512"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}