RE-OPENING OF SELECTED TEMPLES IN GREEN ZONE DURING CMC0

Vanakam. With reference to the above matter and letter from Kementerian Perpaduan Negara Ref. No. KPN. 100-1/11/(4) dated 22 May 2020 on the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) pertaining to the above matter is also referred.

Malaysia Hindu Sangam (MHS) takes the privilege to refer to the media statement made by the Ministry of Unity on 21 May 2020 pertaining to the re-opening of Non-Muslim Houses of Worship including Hindu temples in green zones from 10 June 2020. The decision to allow re-opening of the Non-Muslim Houses of Worship was taken at the Special Ministerial Committee Meeting which was held on the same morning.

First of all, MHS takes this opportunity to thank the Minister of Unity YB Datuk Halimah Saddique for her effort in presenting the paper and getting the approval of the Special Ministerial Committee to allow the Non-Muslim Houses of Worship to re-open on 10 June 2020.

As announced on 21 May 2020, a total of 84 Hindu temples in the green zones are allowed to re-open as in the attached list. Further, MHS is also allowed by the Ministry of Unity to submit more names of temples in the green zones by mid-June 2020.

MHS is here to announce that according to the official SOP released by the Ministry of Unity dated 22 May 2020 as attached with this letter, the Hindu temples which are allowed to re-open on 10 June 2020 will only operate two days in a week on Fridays and Saturdays, from 6.00 pm – 9.00 pm only.

These temples are subjected to strict Standing Operating Procedures (SOP) as stipulated by the Ministry of Unity. Echoing this, MHS after consultation with Temple Management Committees, have also prepared detailed step by step SOP to be followed by temples to get themselves prepared before re-opening as attached with this letter as well. It was also stated in KPN’s letter that officers from KPN and Jabatan Perpaduan dan Intergrasi Nasional (JPNIN) will monitor the adherence of the SOP at the selected temples.

MHS would also like to announce further, that marriage ceremonies at temples are STILL PROHIBITED and can only resume after 31 July 2020 depending on the announcements made by the authorities based on the current situation of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Please also kindly take note that KPN will work together with State Governments, Local Council Authorities and Polis Diraja Malaysia (PDRM) to coordinate the re-opening of Places of Worship including Hindu temples throughout the country.

At this juncture, MHS takes pride in serving the needs of all Hindus and Hindu temples in this country and is highly committed to ensuring the best for all Hindu Temples during this trying times. All temple committees are encouraged to keep in touch and work together with respective MHS State Councils and Local Councils in each State to ensure the operation of temples runs smooth in accordance with the attached SOPs.

MHS would like take this opportunity to thank all Temples Chairman for the continues support to MHS and we would like to wish you all the best. Thank you. Om Namasivaaya. Inbame Soolgha Ellorum Vaalga