‘Role of temples as transformation centres’
PUTRAJAYA: Hindu temples, a focal point of cultural and religious practices in the country, now have a pivotal role in shaping and uplifting the Indian community, especially those in the bottom 40 per cent household income group (B40).
In line with the Malaysian Indian Blueprint (MIB), Socioeconomic Development of Indian Community Unit (Sedic) director-general Professor Datuk N.S. Rajendran said six temples, with large congregations in six states, had been chosen as the first batch in a pilot programme to make the houses of worship a “transformation centre”.
The six temples are the Sri Dandayuthapani Temple in Batang Berjuntai, (Selangor); Sri Ganesar Temple in Kampung Pandan (Kuala Lumpur); Sri Ganesar Temple in Kuala Kangsar (Perak); Sri Mariamman Temple in Sungai Petani (Kedah); Sri Muniswarar Temple in Jalan Baru, Seberang Prai (Penang); and Sri Subramaniar Temple in Masai (Johor).
Rajendran said temples had a significant role as partners in supporting and developing the Indian community by carrying out educational, skills and empowering programmes for single mothers, students, as well as youths.
“An allocation of RM1.5 million has been distributed to the six temples, with each receiving RM250,000 to carry out activities for the local communities. Sedic has prepared guidelines on what programmes they need to conduct, especially social and economic upliftment programmes for women, as well as character- building and skills training for youth.”
Making temples “transformation centres” was part of the nine priority initiatives in the MIB, which was launched by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak last year.
Elaborating on the programmes, Rajendran said it would include tuition for primary and secondary school students, and organising skills development activities like baking, sewing, bridal make-up and mehendi classes.
Rajendran said some 3,000 people had benefited from the programmes and activities, and Sedic planned to extend them to gurdwaras and churches.
“Sedic is monitoring and assessing the social contributions of temples and other Indian religious institutions involved in this community transformation initiative.
“It is going well and positively,” he said.
Since 2014, Rajendran said, Sedic had disbursed RM230 million to more than 800 non-governmental organisations.