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Gold or silver has no merit, it is true Bhakti that’s important

I have had a feeling of great disappointment and my mind has been completely disturbed over the issue of two groups claiming that each should go first with their chariot for the upcoming Thaipusam celebrations in Penang. Who are these groups? They are both legal entities officially formed under applicable laws during the British rule of the Straits Settlement of Penang.

To my knowledge, the Nagarathar Sivan Temple was formed more than 150 years ago under a trust deed by about seven Chettiar families who owned and built this Temple. It is not owned by the entire Chettiar community of Penang, as some have alleged. I understand that only descendants of the said families can be nominated as trustees.

There was no Malayan citizenship then. Most of them returned to India when they retired. Any form of citizenship offer was just before Merdeka. With independence, the law regarding the trust deeds were regulated under the laws of the newly-independent Malaya.

The Penang Hindu Endowment Board (PHEB) was formed under an ordinance during British rule. Similarly, the regulation of the powers of the board was transferred on Independence to the Malayan government.

It has been clear that just as in Singapore, the board had the rights to manage the assigned temples under the administration of the board only. It had no powers on any other temple in the state. Neither did it have any power to decide on the practice of religion in the state.

It is interesting to note that a few decades ago, the late N Shanmugam a DAP assemblyperson in Penang, vehemently protested that the PHEB had no legal power to decide on issues other than that of the temples administered by it.

The Malaysia Hindu Sangam (MHS) was requested to assist. I was then sent by the then-president Dr SM Ponniah to help him. Coincidentally, Shanmugam was then the chairperson of the Penang committee of Malaysia Hindu Sangam. After my report to Dr SM Ponniah, the matter was discussed with MIC headquarters and things somewhat quietened down.

In the present dispute as to which chariot should start first, I see no magnanimity at all by the parties concerned. Gold or silver has no merit. It is true Bhakti (devotion) with humility to Lord Muruga that is important. There is talk of Vel being the spear of Lord Muruga to fight evil. The Vel is a holy weapon symbolising knowledge and divine power to assist us to sieve through the evil thoughts within us. He, the Lord, decides and only the Lord knows.

I am not the one to pass the judgment. Both sides have done many good deeds in the past. Whilst mistakes might have been done before, let us not do it again. My humble appeal to both groups is to call a ceasefire and request the president of Malaysia Hindu Sangam Mohan Shan to mediate.

In my experience no menteri besar or chief minister has ever ruled on Hindu religious issues and neither have their deputies or exco members.

On the question of chariot processions, only the police have the final say because the security of the devotees, general public, traffic and properties is their concern. The local authorities issue permits for the use of public roads, laying tents, assurance of clearing broken coconuts, laying banners, etc. All these years the police should be credited for trouble-free religious processions.

Finally, I hope that peace and harmony will prevail this Thaipusam. Liaise with the MHS to assist in avoiding disputes and or misunderstandings.


A VAITHILINGAM is former president, Malaysia Hindu Sangam and currently its adviser.

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