ISSUES at Penang Hindu Endowment Board (PHEB) are heating up as two Indian leaders took their differences to social media.
Former state deputy chief minister II (DCM II) Prof P. Ramasamy is looking to hand over a memorandum to Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow over the alleged malpractices of the board now led by RSN Rayer.
Urimai secretary-general Satees Muniandy has also hit out at Penang MIC chairman Datuk J. Dhinagaran for being ‘clueless and ignorant’ over the formation of PHEB.
Dhinagaran had earlier taken to TikTok to claim that PHEB was formed through the efforts of the MIC during the Barisan Nasional leadership.
“I don’t know if I should laugh or cry over this statement. This is coming from a PHEB commissioner and state chairman of a party that’s been around for 78 years," said Satees.
The actual formation of PHEB was under The Mohamedan and Hindu Endowments Ordinance 1905 by the Straits Settlements Government during colonial times.
After Malaysia’s formation and the establishment of Islamic Religious Councils, all Mohammedan endowments were transferred to Penang State Islamic Religious Council (MAINPP), while the Hindu Endowments Board continued as a federal statutory body, with its management appointed by the state governor.
Ramasamy became the chairman of PHEB in 2010 after then-chief minister Lim Guan Eng had requested him to take over in his capacity as the DCM II.
Under his leadership, Satees said the board became relevant, acquiring land for temples and strengthening its financial position.
“Today, it holds properties worth hundreds of millions of ringgit and has millions in its accounts,” he said.
"When the MIC exited in 2008, they left a miserable RM4,000 in PHEB’s account,” he alleged.
Dhinagaran meanwhile said PHEB was initiated under the leadership of then chief minister Lim Chong Eu in 1967 who appointed a retired teacher D. Baboo as the chairman until his demise in 1975.
His successor T. Subbiah from MIC was then appointed to head PHEB.
"The MIC has played a major role in the PHEB during the formative years since 1967. The money collected by PHEB was used to provide education and welfare assistance to Penang Hindus, which is the main priority of the PHEB."
There were also rumours that state executive councillor Datuk S. Sundarajoo has resigned as a PHEB commissioner.
When contacted Rayer said he has yet to receive any official letter on the matter. - October 10, 2024.
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