Hindu endowments better managed by states due to land link, says unity ministry

2026-03-05 - 03:53

The national unity ministry said allowing state governments to manage Hindu endowments ensures that they are carried out legally and in accordance with state laws. (Bernama pic) PETALING JAYA: The national unity ministry has maintained that Hindu endowments should be managed by state governments, saying they are closely linked to land matters. The ministry acknowledged that Hindu endowments fall under federal jurisdiction, as specified under Item 15(c) of the Federal List in the Ninth Schedule of the Federal Constitution. “However, as Hindu endowments are closely linked to land ownership and the management of land for the construction and administration of temples, the ministry is of the view that the management of Hindu endowments is better handled by state governments. “This is because land matters fall under state jurisdiction as provided for under Item 2, State List, Ninth Schedule of the Federal Constitution,” it said in a statement today. The ministry cited the establishment of the Penang Hindu Endowments Board as an example, where although federal legislation created the board, the power to set it up was vested in the Yang di-Pertua Negeri. “This approach is important to ensure that the management and administration of Hindu endowments can be carried out legally, in an orderly manner, and in accordance with the relevant state laws,” it said. The ministry also said that Hindu communities in any state seeking a similar board could submit proposals to their respective state governments, which would bring them up for discussion at the ministerial meeting on national unity. “The federal government remains committed to considering such proposals and to enacting appropriate legislation for the purpose of establishing such boards,” it said. Its statement came after Urimai secretary Satees Munaidy accused deputy national unity minister R Yuneswaran of misleading the Dewan Negara when he said that Hindu endowments boards must be established at the state level, in line with constitutional provisions. Satees said that Item 15(c) of the Federal List explicitly placed Hindu endowments under federal jurisdiction. Yuneswaran earlier told the Dewan Negara that religious affairs were under state jurisdiction as set out in the State List of the Ninth Schedule, explaining why boards should operate at the state level.