Malaysia Hindu Temple Assets Mismanaged, Says Lawyer

THAIPUSAM_BATU_CAVES_20150203_TMIKAMAL_ARIFFIN_01KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA, April 17, 2015 (The Malaysian Insider): Lawyer M. Manoharan is seeking a court declaration that the Sri Maha Mariamman Temple Dhevastanam Kuala Lumpur, reputedly the richest Hindu organization in the country, must be for the benefit of the entire community. In a suit filed at the Kuala Lumpur High Court registry today, the former Kota Alam Shah assemblyman also wants the temple chairman Tan Sri R. Nadaraja to be removed for failing to administer the organisation as a charitable, cultural, religious and educational trust. In addition, Manoharan wants the High Court to set aside a 1930 Supreme Court order that the temple was a charitable trust for the benefit of a select group of people.

The Batu Caves temple which is the nation’s main venue during the Thaipusam festival, is among 19 movable and immovable properties worth about US$550 million owned by the Sri Maha Mariamman Temple Dhevastanam. Manoharan said Nadaraja has abused his power by remaining as temple chairman for about 30 years. Manoharan, who is represented by lawyer P. Uthayakumar, said the tenure of all future temple chairman should be limited to two terms or four years. “All Malaysian Hindus should have the right to elect the temple management committee which is not the case now,” he added.

Source: Hinduism Today