Malaysian Police powerless against curbing abuse of Indian school children

August 23rd, 2008 – 12:40 pm ICT by ANI – Email This Post

Kuala Lumpur, Aug 23 (ANI): Following reports of school teachers targeting students of Indian origin in Malaysia and subjecting them to physical and verbal abuse, the countrys police have found themselves powerless in taking action against such teachers, saying the maximum they could do was to report such instances to the Education Department.

District criminal investigations department chief Deputy Superintendent Roslan Ibrahim said no action could be taken against a teacher accused of verbal abuse. When such cases (verbal abuse) are reported, we can only forward it to the Education Department for further action, he said.

On racial slurs, Roslan said it could be categorised as mental abuse. However it would be difficult to charge a teacher suspected of racially abusing a student unless there is strong supporting evidence and witnesses who are willing to testify in court, the New Straits Times quoted him as saying.

It had been reported that five police reports had been lodged against teachers in a school in Taman Klang Jaya for alleged racial abuse. The first report was lodged on Nov 1 last year while the latest was lodged on Aug 8. Two reports were lodged on Feb 29 and the other report was on March 21.

The incidents were first reported in March this year, but no action had been taken either by the police or the Education Department.

The Coalition of Malaysian Indian Non-governmental Organisations Secretary G. Gunaraj said he had met with parents of six students last Sunday in Klang Jaya regarding the issue. Despite the reports, the teachers who allegedly abused the Indian students verbally and physically continue to teach and no apparent action has been taken against them, he said, adding that a petition had been signed by 63 Indian parents voicing their dissatisfaction and frustration over the handling of the issue. (ANI)

Source:http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/

Hindu Temples & Crematoriums To Be Phased Out Of Kuala Lumpur ?

More than 120 temple representatives present at a meeting organized by Malaysia Hindu Sangam at the Dewan Tan Sri K R Soma, KL yesterday were shocked that their temples and 2 existing Hindu Crematoriams were not identified at the master Plan of City of Kuala Lumpur by 2020.

What is of great concern to the community leaders is whether there is a plan to erase off hundreds of Hindu Temples and 2 crematoriams at Jalan Loke Yew and Sentul by the year 2020.

There was a feeling of disappointment and disgust when they were briefed on the Master Plan. They were informed that they have to send their note of protest using the appropriate DBKL Form by 30th August 2008. About 100 forms were distributed at the meeting.

Briefings were made by MHS President Datuk A.Vaithilingam, IT Consultant Mr. Chin Meng Sun, MHS Temples Advisor Ir Ariathavaratnam, MHS Temples Affairs Committee Chairman Mr. G.gunaraj and Bukit Jalil Social worker Mr. Thiagarajan. All those who are not able to obtain the DBKL Master Plan Books are requested to go online and visit www.klcityplan2020.dbkl.gov.my and try and identify the location of their temple. It does not matter whether the temple is registered with ROS or with our MHS or is said to be illegal and of the temple is not identified in the plan please get the forms from DBKL or ring 012-392 5995 (Mr. Gunaraj), 012-328 7823 (Mr.Chin), 016-3674304 (Mr. Thiagaraj) or 016-277 1495 (Ir. Ariathavaratnam) for advice or on how to obtain the forms.

All temples are advised to immediately submit their protests to DBKL and send a copy of the protest form to Malaysian Hindu Sangam at No. 67, Jalan PJS 1/48, Taman Petaling Utama 7, 46150 Petaling Jaya, Selangor, Fax 03-77847304

All protests must reach DBKL by 30th August 2008

Dated 20th August 2008

Datuk A Vaithilingam
President
Malaysia Hindu Sangam

Aljazeera: Boycott hits Malaysia festival

 

Thousands of Malaysian Indians have been taking part in the annual Hindu festival of Thaipusam.

But the turnout for traditional ceremonies was much lower than previous years at the main temple outside Kuala Lumpur following calls for a boycott from anti-government activists.

The annual event at the Batu Caves temple normally attracts a 1 million strong crowd, but locals said only 30 to 50,000 people turned up this year.

The festival is normally a popular spectacle, because of the colourful processions and the practice of many participants who use hooks and spears to pierce their flesh as a form of penance.

But Hindu activists called for a boycott of the temple in protest at the government’s treatment of ethnic minorities, urging pilgrims to use other temples instead.

The Batu Caves temple is controlled by the Malaysian Indian Congress – a political party in the ruling National Front coalition which activists accuse of not doing enough for the ethnic Indian community.

Last November a massive rally in Kuala Lumpur by ethnic Indians protesting against alleged official discrimination was broken up by police using tear gas and water cannon.

Five protest organisers have since been arrested under Malaysia’s Internal Security Act which allows for indefinite detention without trial. http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/91798A47-4AC7-4B5E-AE36-4337C2267D50.htm

Temples Visa Issues – Hindu Sangam Acts

9TH January 2008
PRESS RELEASE

The President of Malaysia Hindu Sangam, Datuk A. Vaithilingam met senior officials of Ministry of Home Affairs and discussed the issue of work permit being given to Hindu temple workers by having their visas renewed to a shorter period than the normal schedule. During the discussion with a senior official of the Ministry En. Mat Sor Udin, Senior Secretary of the Minister, he explained that all those who had their renewal for a shorter period as mentioned above can appeal to the Minister of Home Affairs for reconsideration.

In view of this Malaysia Hindu Sangam (MHS) calls upon all the leaders of temples affected by this exercise to make their appeals and immediately contact the MHS for its recommendation. It has been confirmed that the MHS will be the only coordinating body for Hindus in Malaysia to submit their recommendations to be forwarded to the Ministry of Home Affairs as has been the practice all the time.

The MHS calls upon the Hindu community to remain calm over this issue because the Ministry officials have shown their concern to solve this issue in a satisfactory manner. We must also appreciate 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 MHS tomorrow at Malaysia Hindu Sangam Head Quarters, 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) .

Thank you,

Yours in service,
Datuk A.Vaithilingam
President
Malaysia Hindu Sangam