Hindu worshippers today ticked off the government for reneging on a promise made in April to allow foreign priests, musicians and sculptors greater access into the country so that they can work at local Indian temples without frequent interruption.

"The Malaysian Hindu community is dependent on foreign priest - yet the home ministry is not issuing new work permits for Hindu priests from India and forcing those who are already here to leave within four months of the expiry of their work permit," said A Vaithilingam, president of the Malaysia Hindu Sangam.

hindu sangam pc on work permits 020908 vaithilingam 02 Speaking a press conference held together with a local temple builder and some 50 temple representatives from various Malaysian states, Vaithilingam said most temples here rely wholly on artisans and experts from India.

However, their permits are not approved or are extended only for brief periods, he added.

"When those currently working in Malaysia apply for their annual renewal of their work permits, an extension is only given for first three months, then another extension for only one month after which the priest is forced to leave the country," said Vaithilingam.

He took to task Human Resources Minister Dr S Subramaniam, who reiterated in May that the cabinet would allow the issuance of a three-year work permit to temple priests and musicians.

The MHS president said he had received numerous complaints from various temple organisations and accused the government of "intent in expelling all foreign Hindu priests".

"In some cases, the priests have been asked to leave within two days of the expiry of the second extension. Why only Indian priests and musicians?" Vaithilingam asked.

Handed down through the generations

He said most local temples had to employ Indian nationals as the skills set required are handed down from generations and required years of training before becoming well-versed in Hindu rites and rituals that are usually conducted in Sanskrit.

hindu sangam pc on work permits 020908 permit "Temple priests, temple musicians and temple sculptors most often come from families whose traditional occupations are in those fields.

"The skills are handed down from father to son. Most Hindu families in Malaysia do not come from those traditional backgrounds," Vaithilingam explained.

Even though Malaysia-born Indians are keen on obtaining "spiritual fulfilment", they are not interested in consecrating their live to temple service and are also unwilling to serve as priests, he added.

"Given the socio-economic position faced by most Hindu parents, and the tremendous economic development they see amongst other communities in Malaysia, most Hindu parents are anxious for their children to be professionals rather than to devote their lives to working in the temple," said Vaithilingam.

hindu sangam pc on work permits 020908 group 01 Vaithilingam said discussions have since been held with the prime minister and he hoped the issue will be addressed in the cabinet meeting tomorrow.

When asked what action the MHS would take if the cabinet did not respond, Vaithilingam said "we are not going to threaten and we will implement the necessary action as we go".