A NATIONAL body overseeing the management of Hindu temples is seeking the government’s approval to open temples for two days a week instead of one allowed under the relaxed ruling of the conditional movement-control order.

Malaysian Hindu Sangam (MHS) president R.S. Mohan Shan said it wants all 84 Hindu temples allowed to operate from June 10 to open on Fridays and Saturdays.

Approval is only for temples to open one day a week.

MHS has submitted the request to the National Security Council and Ministry of National Unity but has yet to receive a final confirmation.

It is also awaiting the updated standard operating procedures for temples to implement to allow devotees to return.

“We’ve requested for two days – Friday and Saturday – from 6pm to 9pm.

“I am still waiting for the final SOP from the Ministry of National Unity. They promised to send the final decision but we have not received it yet. I am waiting,” he told The Malaysian Insight.

MHS’s earlier request to open temples in the mornings and evenings was rejected, he said.

Senior Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob said last week that non-Muslims can gather in houses of worship in green zones from June 10 onwards, subject to social-distancing rules.

The 174 places of worship nationwide allowed to open their doors next month comprise 84 Hindu temples, 15 Chinese temples, 67 churches and eight gurdwaras.

Ismail Sabri said the decision was made after consultation with National Unity Minister Halimah Mohamed Sadique and religious leaders of all faiths.

The places of worship won’t be allowed to open daily but only on important days in the week, one or two days, depending on the religion.

Only Malaysians are allowed in and the number is limited to 30.

Those aged above 70 and below 12 are barred from participating, due to their vulnerability to Covid-19.

Batu Caves temple off-limits

Mohan said MHS has submitted proposed guidelines and SOP to the NSC on reopening temples.

The SOP prioritises the safety of devotees and is in accordance with advice from the Health Ministry.

Mohan, who is also the Malaysian Consultative Council of Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Sikhism and Taoism (MCCBCHST) vice-president, said Buddhist temples nationwide have decided not to open for the public, except for Fo Guang Shan Dong Zen temple in Klang.

However, its application is likely to be rejected as Klang is still under red zone, he said.

Malaysian Gurdwaras Council president Jagir Singh told The Malaysian Insight that they have decided to open the gurdwaras every Sunday from 7am to 2pm from June 10.

“Our request was approved to open every Sunday from 7am to 2pm,” he said.

The Catholic church also said it has yet to receive approval from the NSC to reopen for worship. 

Meanwhile, the Sri Maha Mariamman temple devasthanam, which oversees three main Hindu temples in Kuala Lumpur, said its temples will remain closed as they are not in the green zone.

“Not expected to open anytime soon because the Mariamman temple and Court Hill Ganesh temple in Kuala Lumpur are in the red zone, while Batu Caves is in the yellow zone.

“So, even if we wanted to, we can’t,” a spokesman said.

The government has allowed all mosques and certain surau in the Federal Territory to conduct Friday prayers starting May 15.

The CMCO is set to end on June 9. – May 25, 2020.