KUALA LUMPUR — Bersatu Supreme Council member Datuk Wan Saiful Wan Jan has lambasted National Unity Minister Datuk Aaron Ago Dagang for rejecting the proposal to establish a Permanent Committee on Hindu Affairs without due consideration.
The Tasek Gelugor MP said the proposal was not his own but was brought forward by Hindu non-governmental organisations (NGOs) that had met him in Parliament recently, making it a grassroots demand.
“The minister should have stated that he would consider the proposal, rather than dismissing it outright by claiming that there are already many other committees in place,” he said in a statement today.
Wan Saiful argued that the proposed committee could serve as a regulatory body for issues concerning the Indian community, particularly Hindu devotees, including sensitive matters such as temple construction in disputed locations.
“The existing committees do not address the issues raised by representatives of the Indian and Hindu communities who spoke to me,” he added.
He also criticised Aaron’s remarks on the Malaysian Indian Transformation Unit (Mitra), saying they reflected a misunderstanding of the agency’s role.
“Mitra is limited to socio-economic development and does not cover religious affairs. Its role is similar to the Bumiputera Agenda Steering Unit (Teraju). When the minister refers to Mitra in this context, it is as if he is suggesting that Teraju should function like the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (Jakim).
“It is clear that the minister does not understand the functions of government agencies,” he said.
Wan Saiful urged Aaron to take time to evaluate the proposal carefully instead of rejecting it outright. – February 27, 2025