Introduction
The population of Malaysia is about at moment was 21 million. Of this 9 percent are of Indian origin. 87 percent of Indians are Hindus. The interest of Hindus and Hindu religious activities were confined to a few Hindu temples and a few Hindu based organisations in the early sixties. It was felt that there was a need to form a National Hindu Body to look after the needs of Hindus in Malaysia – especially the practice and propagation of Hinduism and also to counter the problems affecting the Malaysian Hindus.
The person who thought of Malaysian Hindus was the late Shri K. Paramalingam KMN. He was a barrister at law and was then the Director General of Public Trustee Department. He was greatly assisted by the late Shri K. Ramanathan B. ABL., a lawyer by profession and a ardent Hindu. Shri K. Ramanathan was the president of Malaysian Indian Congress from 1950 – 1951. he was also the founder of Malaysian Arulneri Thirukkuttam.
Founder Members
By the encouragement and inspiration given by the learned saintly Shri K. Ramanathan B. A. B. L, Shri K. Paramalingam moved fast and gathered few devout Hindus, who liked to serve the course of Hinduism and society at large. As a result of his untiring efforts, Shri. K. Paramalingam, Shri. G. V. Thevar, Shri Hari Chand Saradha, Shri. S. Palanivel Pillai and Shri S. Thuraiappah, met in Paramalingam’s office, after the normal office working hours, in Bangunan Sultan Abdul Samad, opposite Dataran Merdeka or the present high court building, on 15.04.1963.
At the meeting held on 15.04.1963 they formed an AD-Hock Committee. The members of the committee were:
Shri. K. Paramalingam - Chairman
Shri. K. Gurupathan - Hon. Secretary
Shri. S. Botheju - Hon. Treasurer
Shri. K.L. Devasar - Committee Member
Shri. S. Palanivel Pillai - Committee Member
Shri A. Arumugam - Committee Member
Shri. Hari Chand Saradha - Committee Member
Shri. S. Duraiappah - Committee Member
Shri. Attar Chand - Committee Member
Shri. G.V. Thevar - Committee Member
This committee in 1963 / 1964 met six times and prepared the ground work to form an organisation for Hindus in Malaysia. Finally, in January 1965 the ad-hock committee organised a seminar of all Hindu organisations and some leading temples met at the famous Maha Mariamman temple, High Street (now Jalan Tun H. S. Lee) Kuala Lumpur. At this seminar the Malaysian Hindu Sangam was chosen and MHS was officially registered under the Companies Act on 23rd January, 1965. the registration No. IS 20/65. The Sangam’s motto is “SERVICE”. The main objective of Malaysian Hindu Sangam are:-
- To co-ordinate Hindu religious activities;
- To undertake religious education; and
- To represent the Hindu community at National and International level.
According to the memorandum of association of Malaysian Hindu Sangam and the memorandum of articles of association, the Sangam is a “ Company Limited by Guarantee and not having a share capital ”.
Shri. P. G. Bani, the first elected assistant General Secretary Of MHS, who worked in Public Trustee’s office, under Shri. Paramalingam, when asked as to why the Sangam was registered under Companies Act and not under the Societies Act. He explained if the Sangam were to be registered under the Societies Act, there would be a lot of problems for the future generation. It is sufficient to be registered under the Companies Act. Under this act the benefit are:
- By registering the Sangam under the Companies Act, we need to register one Campany (sangam), the state and district sangam’s or council’s become the Branch of the main company;
- The annual reports and account from the states and district must be sent to the National MHS Headquarters, who will scrutinise, coordinate and incorporate in the main National report and accounts and send them to the R of C ;
- To dissolved a company an order of the high court is necessary;
- For the high court to act as in (c) all share holders must give written consent. Under this act all MHS members are considered as share holders;
- It was explained to the R of C that MHS is not a profit making body;
- Though the MHS is registered under companies act, the Ministry of Trade, under a special arrangement, accepts it as a social organisation.
The First AGM
Malaysian Hindu Sangam had its first Annual General Meeting at Sri Sithi Vinayagar Temple, Jalan Selangor, Petaling Jaya on 21.09.1965. no records are available to say as to how many members attended this AGM but nevertheless, sources indicate that about 350 members attended. At this AGM the Malaysian Hindu Sangam formally elected the following office bearers:
Shri. K. Paramalingam - President
Shri. Hari Chand Saradha - Vice President
Shri. K. Gurupathan - Secretary General
Shri. P. G. Bani - Assistant Secretary General
Shri. S. Botheju - Hon. Treasurer
Shri. V. Marimuthu - Assistant Treasurer
Shri. K.L. Devasar - Central Council Member
Shri A. Arumugam - Central Council Member
Shri. S. Duraiappah - Central Council Member
Shri. Attar Chand - Central Council Member
Shri. S. Sharma - Central Council Member
Shri. R. P. Saksena - Central Council Member
Shri. S. Rajaratnam - Central Council Member
Shri. S. Vijayaratnam - Central Council Member
Shrimathi Punitham Mahesan - Central Council Member
The Malaysian Hindu Sangam was led by able and dedicated Hindus from its inception in 1965. They are:
Shri K. Paramalingam - 1965 – 1969
Shri K. Nadaraja - 1969 – 1976
Shri (Dr) S. M. Ponniah - 1976 – 1986
Dato’ S. Govindaraj - 1986 – 1989
Shri A. Nagappan - 1989 – 1991
Shri M. Subramaniam - 1991 – 1996
Datuk A. Vaithilingam - 1996 – 2009
Shri R. S. Mohan Shan - 2009 – current
Two other persons have served Malaysia Hindu Sangam for a long period. They are Col. Karu Sathya, who served as Secretary General from 1971 to 1983, likewise Shri M. Govindasamy served as Treasurer from 1970 to 1989 and from 1991 to 1996. these two gentleman deserve the appreciation of all Hindus in Malaysia.
State / District Councils
Malaysia Hindu Sangam which was formed 80 years after the declaration of Malaysia’s independence on 31st August 1957, first concentrated on the formation of state council’s in Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur and other states. Secondly, it concentrated on the formation of district councils nationwide. The MHS is able to serve the Hindu community well. It has organised many national Hindu conferences, seminars, Antharyogams and religious discussions and created a strong religious consciousness among the Malaysian Hindus. MHS has been accepted by the government of Malaysia as the only organisation to consult on matters affecting the Hindu community in this country. It also maintains a cordial relationship with other religious organisations by becoming a member of MCCBCHS since 1984. MCCBCHS is the Malaysian Consultative Council of Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism and Sikhism, and thereby helps to maintain national unity and communal harmony in the country.
MHS In The International Arena
Malaysian Hindu Sangam had participated in many international conferences and seminars. In 1975 a world council on Hinduism was established in Krachi. MHS was one of the co-sponsors of that council. The first conference was successfully organised by MHS in Kuala Lumpur in 1976. in 1982, the Hindu Sabha was established in Katmandu, the capital of Nepal, the only Hindu country in the world in which MHS representatives participated. In this gathering, the President of MHS, Dr S. M. Ponniah was selected as Vice President of the World Hindu Sabha. In 1982, a World Hindu Conference was held in Sri Lanka, the MHS representative participated in that conference.
From 1983 to 1988, MHS President Dr S. M. Ponniah served as Vice President of the World Hindu Federation with distinction. From 1st to 4th April 1988, the first Asia Pacific Hindu Conference was held in Singapore. Dato’ S. Govindaraj, President MHS participated in this conference and submitted a ‘Country Report’. From 1988 to 1991, Dato’ S. Govindaraj and Shri S. Vijayaratnam have served on many International Hindu Organisations representing MHS. In December 1997, the World Hindu Conference was held in Gorakpur, India. Malaysia was represented by Shri R. Thiagarajan and Shri A. Rajan. In this conference, a special recognition was given to MHS and as a result the following MHS officials were appointed to serve in the world body as follows:
- Shri A. Vaithilingam as one of the advisors;
- Shri A. Thiagarajan as one of the secretaries;
- Col. Karu, Sathaya, Shri A. Vijayaratnam, Shri Pardip Kumar and Dr. P. Kandasamy as members of the working committee.
The main objective of this world Hindu body is to create understanding among the world Hindus, both spiritually and culturally.
National Hindu Conferences
Malaysia Hindu Sangam took into account the future of Hinduism in a rapidly developing Malaysia, a Nation of Multi religious and multi cultural society which is based on the principle of Rukun Negara, the first Rukun of which is believe in God. In accordance with this National ideology, the MHS, in conjunction with other like-minded Hindu organisations, has organised many National Hindu Conferences to inculcate the spirit of contribution for the national, wellbeing, development, peace, tranquillity and justice to all citizens. The MHS communities in the matter of National wellbeing. Therefore, MHS has organised National Hindu conferences with the appropriate themes. They are:
- 1968 theme : “Hindu Role in Nation Building”
Keynote Address : Y. B. Tun V. T. Sambanthan - 1970 theme : “Goodwill and Harmony Through Religion”
Keynote Address : Y. T. M. Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Al-Haj - 1975 theme : “The Temple and its Role in Society”
Keynote Address : YB. Datuk Amar Haji Abu Taib - 1981 theme : “The Present Needs of Hindus”
Keynote Address : Y. T. M. Dato’ Seri Dr Mahathir Mohamad - 1989 theme : “Hinduism Towards the Year 2000”
Keynote Address : YB. Dato’ Seri S. Samy Vellu
The fifth National Hindu Coference was held from 6th to 7th April 1989 at the Civic Centre, Petaling Jaya. Representatives from Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand, Hong Kong, India and Nepal have participated. Hindu temples in Malaysia were well represented. Distinguished Hindu scholars had presented working papers. They are:
- Shri S. Narayanan from Theosophical Society;
- Dr. R. Rajoo from University Malaya;
- Dr. S. M. Ponniah from MHS;
- Professor (MADYA) Dr. K. Thilagavathi from University Malaya;
- Dato’ J. Jegathesan from Sathya Sai Malaysia; and
- Shri A. Nagappan from MHS
During these two days, the Civic Centre was in a Hindu festive mood. The women’s section of MHS also arranged many conferences but the notable one was held on 10th May 1998 at Kalamandabam, Scott Road Kandasamy Temple, Kuala Lumpur. The theme of the conference was “The challenges faced by Hindu Women in the 21st Century”. More than 300 women from all over the country participated. MHS National President, Shri A. Vaithilingam gave the welcome address. National Unity and Social Development Minister, YB Datin Paduka Haja Jaleha Binti Ismail delivered the keynote address and declared open the conference. Based on the theme of the conference, Srimathi Ruba Shanmugam presented a paper and spoke at the conference.
Challenges
For the past 30 years, MHS has taken many steps to instil religious consciousness among Hindus in this country and it will continue to carry out this gigantic task, as long as it can. Due to the untiring efforts of MHS, today in every house they recite Thirumurai HYMNS and conduct daily prayers. During festival days it has become a tradition whereby the Hindus go to temples first and only then they attend to other things. These changes were brought by the relentless efforts of MHS, no doubt about it.
For the past 22 years, MHS has been conducting Thirumurai Contest and thereby creating religious awareness. MHS acts as an umbrella body to all the Hindus in this country. For the past 12 years it has also been conducting Bhagavad Gita and Ramayana contests. It also conducts Thiruppugal, Divya Prabantham and Abirami Anthathi contest thereby catering for the spiritual needs of all Hindus in this country.
Renaissance
Hindus are being prosecuted and converted to other religions for many centuries. Due to this very reason, the powerful Marati King Veer Sivaji (1627 – 1680) fought with the most powerful Moghul Emperor of India, Aurangzeb (1681 – 1707). For resisting unreasonable conversions, the ninth Sikh Guru Tegh Bahadur (1621 – 1679) was arrested and beheaded by Aurangzeb (Encyclopaedia Britannica. Vol. 2 Page 765, Chicago 1963). Srila Sri Arumuga Navalar (1822 – 1879), a Hindu Saint from Sri Lanka fought with the British rulers all his life against compulsory conversions. These compulsory or forceful conversions also started to wag its tail in Malaysia.
To counter their efforts, MHS embarked on a course of renaissance to awaken the Hindus and educate the Hindus, especially the youth in the basic tenets of Hinduism. For this purpose a propagation section was established under the chairmanship of Shri A. Nagappan. Under his leadership, Hindu religious speakers, Shri C. Vellusamy, Shri C. Manikumar, Shri Michael Dass and Shri S. Ramakrishna, Shri A. Krishnan, Shri G. Subramaniam and many others who travelled all over the country and organised religious camps or awareness camps. In these camps the fundamentals of Hinduism Hindu culture and traditions were explained. These awareness camps produced the anticipated results and prevented Hindus from becoming victims of conversion vultures. As a growing event for all these awareness camp was held at the Chinese Assembly hall on 12th May 1985 from 8.00 am to 5.30 pm, where more than 5,000 Hindus from all over the country attended the Camp.
His Holiness Swamy Jeenmuktananda Maharaj of Divine Life Society delivered the keynote address. Other speakers were Dr. S. M. Ponniah, Shri S. Ramakrishna and Shri A. Nagappan. At this gathering, an important resolution was unanimously adopted to make 12th May as a Hindu Day. Every year, 12th May is being celebrated as “HINDU” Day in temples and at Hindu-based organisations. Every Hindu Daywill have a theme for that year. A typical Hindu Day programme will include the following:
- Chanting of Thirumurai Hymns;
- Reading of message from Kanchi Periyar;
- Reading of message from the MHS President;
- A special message for that year;
- Taking a pledge to adhere to Hindu Way of life;
- Singing of awareness or “Eluchi Padal”;
- Prayers
- The event ends with singing of Thevaram Hymns.
MHS National Headquarters will prepare the programme for the Hindu Day and send to various temples and other organisations throughout the country. Reading of messages can be done by the temple committee members or some outstanding personalities in the society or the Local Hindu Sangam officials. It is worth remembering two MHS officials who worked so hard against conversions. They are former Vice President, Shri A. Nagappan and the present Vice President, Shri A. Thiyagaraja. These activities must be continued.
These awareness programmes were first implemented by the Malaysian Hindu Youth. The idea of awareness camps was first muttered by Shri Ravi Kumar in 1983.
Religious Preachers
Malaysia Hindu Sangam for the past 25 years is carrying out a training programme for the Hindu religious preachers. This training programme was initiated by the former General Secretary of MHS Col. Karu Sathya. This training programme was normally conducted during the annual long school holidays in November & December. Duration of the course is about two weeks. It was expected the persons so trained would go back to their own places and conduct Hindu classes there, but unfortunately this scheme did not yield the expected results because there was a lack of communication between the persons so trained and the local MHS. Malaysia Hindu Sangam must pay more attention to this aspect as this is one of the best ways to reach the people on the ground. MHS must also endeavour to identify Hindu youth who are degree holders and give them the appropriate training and make them as Hindu preachers and writers.
Hindu Illam
For a long time MHS had aspited to have its own building and had worked hard to fulfil that aspiration. With the grace of God Almighty, that dream became a reality on 30th April 1994 when they have acquired a double storey terrace house No. 51-1 Jalan Kasippillai, Off Jalan Ipoh, 51200 Kuala Lumpur. They have proudly named it as “HINDU ILLAM” (House of Hinduism). Malaysia Hindus congratulated all those who were concerned with this noble project. Though many have contributed to this gigantic project, the efforts of two officials are noteworthy. They are Former Traesurer, Shri M. Govindasamy and the President during that period, Shri A. Vaithilingam. Hindu Sangam activities are increasing day by day by heaps and bounds and it is likely to increase more in the future. Therefore, MHS must endeavour to acquire a three storey shopping lot where it can have a lecture hall, admin office with modern facilities, conference room, dining hall, library and other facilities. With proper planning and with consolidated efforts of all concerned and with the grace of God, it can certainly become feasible. Let us remember “God helps those who help themselves”.
Finances
Any organisation only needs three main things to function effectively and efficiently; they are money, material and manpower. The Sangam so far functions with the generous donations from all its well-wishers. Let us hope and pray that their support will continue to come in the future. Presently, there is a project to collect one ringgit from every Hindu nationwide to raise funds. This project must be accelerated with more vigour to realise the goal. Recently, the Sangam had launched the car sticker project to raise funds. By these two projects, a considerate amount must be raised and put aside in the fixed deposit. Well-to-do Hindus and industrialists could contribute to the success of these projects.
MHS & Temples
In Malaysia, there are approximately 10,000 big and small Hindu temples but only a handful of them are members of MHS. The main reason for this is that the temples harbour the fear that if they become members, the MHS may dominate them and interfere in their administrative or management affairs. This is an absolute misconception. The MHS has no time to indulge in others’ affairs as they are fully loaded with work. The writer is an Assistant Secretary of Sri Sakthi Easwari Temple, Sungei Way, Subang near Motorola. The temple is a life member of MHS. The writer can affirm that the MHS is a source of help and inspiration rather than a hindrance. The MHS helps to bring Brahmin priests, sculptures and musicians from India without any itch and helps in many other ways. They also can assist in getting religious speakers, help to organise religious seminars or Antharyogams in temples. The voice of MHS will be stronger if all the temples become members. The Sangam will be in a better position to bargain with the appropriate authorities in order to help the community in return. Remember the age-old saying, ‘Unity is Strength’.
Temple Coordination
Dato’ Seri S. Samy Vellu, the Former Minister of Works and MIC President, formed a committee called the temple coordinating committee to gather a comprehensive data of all Hindu temples in Malaysia and find out the problems faced by them and submit a report to the cabinet. This committee is being headed by the Former President of MHS, Shri A. Vaithilingam.
Full Year Plan
In February 1997, MHS launched a five-year plan. Under this plan, some well-wishers have contributed materially. As a result, some administrative reforms have been carried out at the MHS National Headquarters where they have a full time staff to work. They have a computer, fax machine, internet and a photocopy machine. MHS has also conducted an administrative curse for state and district level Sangam officials. This has enabled the Sangam not only to deal with state and district level government agencies or officials, effectively and efficiently, affecting the community. In five years’ time, it is anticipated to computerise all the MHS offices at state and district levels in order to have a better monitoring system.
Honours & Awards
The motto of MHS is “SERVICE”. Based on this philosophy, those who have served the Sangam well to achieve its objectives are remembered and honoured in an appropriate way. The awards the Sangam bestows on those who deserve are:
- SANGARATNA (The highest award)
- SANGA BHOOSHAN (Second Award)
- THONDARMAMANI (Third Award)
- THONDARMANI (Fourth Award)
Conclusion
The Malaysian Hindu Sangam adheres to the philosophy of Shri Aathi Sankara who formulated the six path worship (SANMARGA VALIPADU). In line with this concepts, the MHS accepts and serves all segments of Hindus. It is an umbrella body to all Hindus in Malaysia. The Hindus though worship many deities yet they strongly believe that God is one and that he manifests in many forms. This is emphasised by our Vedas and many saints:
- Ekam Sat (God is one) - RIG VEDA -
- “Whatever God one worships, he whose half is UMA, Comes and Blesses” -by Saint Siva Gnana Siddhar
EACH AND EVERY MAN, IN HIS OWN MANNER,
BY HIS OWN UNDERSTANDING, SHALL THE LORD WORSHIP,
HIS REWARDS SHALL BE NO LESS, EACH AND EVERY MAN
SHALL THE ONE LORD ATTAIN, AS ALL PATHS LEAD TO HIM.
- by Nam-Alvar (Thiruvai Molzhi)
Therefore, let all Hindus in this beautiful country unite, render cooperation to MHS and thereby lift ourselves up spiritually and materially to maintain our heritage, culture, religion and the Hindu way of life which is purity and love to all.
Thiruchitrambalam
*Note: Those who helped to make this article possible are:
- Sanga Ratna Dr. S. M. Ponniah
- Sanga Ratna Shri Selva Nadarajah
- Sanga Ratna Col. Karu Sathaya
- Shri P. G. Bani
- Datuk A. Vaithilingam
- Shri Muthu Subramaniam
- Shri C. Pachan
- Shri V. Kesavan
- Shri M. Govindasamy
- Shri V. Marimuthu
- Shri Ramani Subramaniam
Prepared by,
R. Letchumanan
MHS Research Unit
20th February 1999
