Who is going to lead PHEB?

Speculations are now mounting over who would lead the Penang Hindu Endowment Board (PHEB) since the terms of the office bearers ends today.

The current chairperson is Jelutong MP R.S.N. Rayer who found himself fighting a wave of dissent after he took over the board two years ago, namely when an external audit found some irregularities in how the PHEB was managed by his predecessor P. Ramasamy, the former deputy chief minister.

Ramasamy has since been charged by the Malaysian Anti – Corruption Commission, charges which the founder of the political entity – Urimai, has vehemently rejected in court.

Insiders have revealed that Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow has to contend with either maintaining Rayer or to allow a new leader to take over. Chow as the chief minister has the final say to determine who leads the PHEB.

State executive councillor Datuk Seri S. Sundarajoo’s name has been bandied about although he has openly stated that he is not that keen.

PHEB was constitutionally revived to oversee the management of the Hindu temples and shrines, in Penang, as well as major religious occasions such as the Thaipusam annual pilgrimage.

Under Ramasamy, the board went one step further by championing education and welfare needs of the needy Hindus, while also maintaining harmony among all temples.

Rayer has continued with this tradition but the fact that Ramasamy’s exit was acrimonious at best, the lanky lawyer found himself battling various opposition to his chairmanship.

The board also has veterans and technocrats including valuers while Penang MIC chairman Datuk J. Dhinagaran also sits on the board following the formation of the state – level national unity Madani government in Penang.

Sundarajoo’s own goal

In the past two weeks, various social media postings have been exchanged over who should be appointed with some alleging that it is best for Sundarajoo to take over since Rayer is preoccupied with his task as the lead defence lawyer for former chief minister Lim Guan Eng’s corruption trial.

But insiders also said that Sundarajoo did himself no favors when he courted controversy over his move to allow special discounts to Indian Muslims to purchase affordable housing units in Penang.

His move has since been dismissed by the state government.

Chow may seek to reduce the political temperature in PHHEB by nominating a senior civil officer to take over.

Chow is expected to make public his choice on who should be the chairman soon.