PN MP chides Aaron for dismissing Hindu community committee idea

Summary

• Bersatu MP Wan Saiful Wan Jan criticises National Unity Minister Aaron Ago Dagang for dismissing suggestions for the establishment of a permanent committee for Hindu affairs.

• The Bersatu leader says Aaron should at least consider it as the committees the latter mentioned don’t address certain specific needs.

• Wan Saiful also pans the minister for bringing the Malaysian Indian Transformation Unit (Mitra) into the equation.

Bersatu MP Wan Saiful Wan Jan criticised National Unity Minister Aaron Ago Dagang after the latter seemingly dismissed suggestions for the establishment of a permanent committee for Hindu affairs.

The Tasik Gelugor MP made the call for the committee’s establishment yesterday at the Dewan Rakyat.

“At the very least, the national unity minister should have said he would consider it, not simply dismiss it by saying there are already various other committees.

“In fact, the committees he mentioned don’t really address the concerns raised by several Indian-based NGOs that had met me earlier,” he said in a statement yesterday.

Wan Saiful told Dewan Rakyat that based on meetings he had with 30 NGOs since November last year, the organisations had called for the establishment of a permanent committee to manage issues affecting the Hindu community such as temples and their operations.

The Bersatu leader then asked Aaron whether he supported the establishment of the committee not only for Hindus but also for other communities.

However, Aaron said that his ministry had already established several committees, which included the Harmony Committee that discusses issues affecting various communities, including the Hindus.

“And we have established a committee on unity affairs, which is chaired by the ministry’s secretary-general. It also involves representatives from other ministries and agencies.

Aaron also mentioned the Malaysian Indian Transformation Unit (Mitra), which he claimed also helps channel funds to temples to some extent.

‘Why mention Mitra?’

Unimpressed, Wan Saiful said Aaron seemed to not understand the functions of the agencies the latter had mentioned.

For starters, he said the committee the NGOs had suggested would help manage issues affecting Indians, including sensitive matters such as the establishment of temples on disputed land.

“And Mitra is about managing socio-economic issues, not religious affairs.

“This is like saying the Bumiputera Agenda Steering Unit (Teraju) can do the work of the Islamic Development Department (Jakim).

“It seems like the minister doesn’t understand certain government agencies’ functions. That’s why it’s important to think first before simply dismissing something,” he added.

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