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SELANGOR

State Government mulls new Sikh worship site request

BY: AFIZ REDZUAN

BATU CAVES, APR 14: The State Government will discuss with Gombak District Land Office to identify a better site to build a new Gurdwara for the Sikh community.

Dato’ Menteri Besar, Dato’ Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali said he takes note of the desire expressed by the Selayang Baru Gurdwara Sahib (GSSB) Chairman, Gurmeet Singh.

I will discuss with Gombak District Officer to assist in identifying a suitable and comfortable site for the Sikh community in Gombak and Batu Caves,” he said.

He said that in his speech during the 2017 Vesakhi Festival Open House with the Sikh community in Batu Caves yesterday.

Vesakhi which is celebrated every year on April 14, is one of the main festivals in a Sikh calendar.

Gurmeet had expressed the intention to build a new Gurdwara in a more spacious site to make it easier for them to worship besides having ample parking space.

In addition, the community would also like to build a Sikh religious school on the same site since 150 students are currently learning out of a container on the current site.

Azmin said the Sikh community cannot be disregarded as they give a big contribution to Selangor and Malaysia although they are a minority in this country.

He said, although Islam is the official religion in the Federal but the rights on non-Muslims to worship are protected in the Constitution.

This year, through the 2017 Budget, the State Government has allocated RM500,000 for the Sikh community to improvise their places of worship and implement religious programmes.

Recently, the Malaysia Armed Forces Sikh Veterans Association (MAFSVA) chaired by Major (B) Baldev Singh Ganda Singh received RM10,000 from the State Government in a luncheon with the nation’s armed forces veterans during a Selangor State Assembly session.