Apply for federal funds for PHEB, we will coordinate, says deputy minister

Penang Hindu Endowment Board (PHEB) can apply for federal fund allocation by forwarding the application to the National Unity Ministry, said its deputy minister Senator Saraswathy Kandasami.

“For federal funds, PHEB can apply to the Finance Ministry. We at the National Unity Ministry will help coordinate the application,” she said during the oral question session in Dewan Rakyat to RSN Rayer (PH-Jelutong) who is also the PHEB chairman.

She also noted that while PHEB was formed under a federal ordinance, it is a statutory body under the state government.

The issue was raised by Rayer since PHEB last received federal funding in 2018 when Lim Guan Eng (PH-Bagan) was finance minister.

“For the first time, PHEB received RM700,000 in 2018,” he remarked.

Rayer also thanked the government for allocating RM20,000 for 1,000 Hindu temples in Malaysia.

This is under the Dharma Madani programme.

He also suggested the government to provide a fixed annual allocation for Hindu temples which Saraswathy welcomed.