Jagdeep's religion doesn't stop him from chairing PHEB: ex-CEO

Summary

• A former executive director of the Penang Hindu Endowments Board has backed Jagdeep Singh Deo’s potential chairing of the board, arguing that the latter’s religion is not an obstacle preventing him from holding the post.

• M Ramachandran said the Penang deputy chief minister has the support of at least 50 local Indian groups, including temples and NGOs.

Penang Deputy Chief Minister Jagdeep Singh Deo’s religion does not bar him from helming the Penang Hindu Endowments Board (PHEB), said a former executive director of the statutory body.

Stressing that religion should not be used as an excuse to oppose Jagdeep’s (above) potential appointment as the board’s chairperson, M Ramachandran said existing legislation does not prohibit Sikhs from being part of the PHEB.

“Some people have argued that a Sikh cannot be (PHEB) chairperson. I said, don’t talk nonsense,” he was quoted as saying by Free Malaysia Today.

“The law is clear. Sikhs are included in the term ‘Hindu’ in the ordinance,” Ramachandran added, referring to the Hindu Endowments Ordinance 1906.

The colonial-era law states that the term “Hindu” includes Sikh and any branch or variety of religion professed by natives of India, except the Christian, Buddhist, and Muslim religions.

Ramachandran also claimed that Jagdeep has strong backing from the local Indian community, with at least 50 local Indian groups, including temples and NGOs, supporting his possible takeover of the board.

He added that he is ready to return to the board in a support role, or even in his former capacity as CEO, to help Jagdeep “get the work done”.

Expressing similar sentiments, lawyer Shamsher Singh Thind highlighted that PHEB is a statutory body, not a Hindu organisation.

“While it has some control over Hindu temples, it does not get involved in the day-to-day religious activity, which is managed by a temple management committee. In other words, PHEB functions like the ROS (Registrar of Societies),” he said in a Facebook post yesterday.

Earlier, the Penang branch of a Hindu-based NGO said the PHEB must be led by a Hindu leader who understands the religion as well as the values and aspirations of the Hindu community.

In a statement, the Malaysia Hindhu Dharma Mamandram argued that the board’s leadership must reflect the cultural and spiritual heritage of the community it serves.

“We are confident that under the leadership of a Hindu individual, the PHEB will be better positioned to support and elevate the Hindu community in Penang,” it added.

On March 30, Jagdeep said he is willing to head the PHEB if needed, claiming there have been requests and memorandums from Indian organisations and individuals seeking a change in the board.

The board is currently chaired by DAP’s Jelutong MP RSN Rayer with Senator RA Lingeshwaran as deputy chair.

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