The Hindu Endowment Boad (HEB) in its meeting on Jan 27, decided that the newly proposed centralised system from Brown Road to Macalister Road will not be implemented in the Penang Thaipusam Celebrations.

In an about turn, the panthal (refreshment stalls) operators were informed that they can now put up their own sound system as in previous years.

This decision was made after considering the opposition of many panthal operators to a centralised sound system, and were prepared to pull out. They were present at Komtar, 3rd Floor, Penang, to meet the chairman of HEB.

There was also an announcement made by The Waterfalls Temple chairman during the meeting that he will resign from his post since his decision was overruled by the HEB chairman who announced that Thaipusam will be celebrated as usual and the panthal operators can put up their own sound systems.

However there are those who feel that the HEB practises double standards when it comes to applications for putting up panthals.

There are panthals operated by Hindus who are ex-Customs, ex-Telecoms,ex-TNB, and various other ex-government departments staffs and private companies.

The policies or enactments of the board do not state that only currently serving members of such bodies must be the applicants of the panthals.

Why did HEB the in first instance issue the permits and then reverse their decision? There were no letters written to such applicants of the change in decisions.

The applicants are offended and they feel rejected by the double standards of HEB on the whole.

Proper guidelines must be drawn by the HEB and not at the whims and fancies of certain members who make such hasty decisions without the board's knowledge.

It is understood from certain quarters that within the temple committee managing the temple affairs, there are disagreements and majority of the members are not in favour of the temple chairman and some committee members.

In a question raised during the meeting, the temple chairman had confirmed that RM2000 was requested from new panthal operators who wanted to put up panthals at a site far away from the temple and RM4000 -RM6000 for those who wanted to put up panthals within the temple compounds.

When further questioned during the meeting the temple chairman said that these were to be accounted as donations.

This is an abuse of power by the chairman and some committee members who have made such requests to those requesting for a site. And why did these members decide without informing the HEB prior to their actions.

I urge the affected parties to officially write to the HEB and disclose the names of the members who asked for money.

The HEB should sack the temple chairman and the committee members involved with immediate effect.

How can the temple chairman and his committee members take it on their own initiative to impose such conditions.

The HEB should not compromise when it comes to transparency regarding its members of the temples under its care.