By Sheeda Fathil
SHAH ALAM, June 24 — The state government has allocated RM2.3 million to non-Muslim religious associations in the Hindu temple category for this year.
Special Committee for Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Sikhism and Taoism (Limas) chairman V Ganabatirau said of this figure, RM1.71 million has already been distributed to 123 temples.
The remaining RM515,000 will be disbursed soon to another 176 temples.
“The state government’s commitment to addressing the issues and concerns of non-Islamic communities can be seen with the establishment of the Committee for Non-Muslim Affairs, shortly after taking the reins of administration in 2008.
“The committee serves as a platform for discussions and resolutions on matters related to places of worship, land disputes, site applications, as well as issues concerning the development and progress of any given area,” he said.
Ganabatirau was speaking at the handover ceremony for the financial aid to non-Muslim houses of worship, at the State Secretariat Building yesterday.
The representatives of the houses of worship have expressed their thanks for the aid and for the state government’s concern, including M Palaniandy, representing Persatuan Penganut Sri Agilandeswary Amman in Kapar, Klang.
“We thank the Selangor government, as this will be used effectively to repair our temple, which is now over a century old.
On his part, Persatuan Penganut Sri Durgai Amman’s representative R Harinantha said the state government has unfailingly provided contributions to the temples every year.
“The funds will be used properly for religious purposes, and we hope such assistance can continue, with a possible increase in the allocation in the future,” he said.
