Hindu endowments boards must be set up at state level, says ministry

2026-03-04 - 05:53

The national unity ministry said that states can establish their own Hindu endowments boards to manage temple-related matters. (Envato Elements pic) KUALA LUMPUR: The national unity ministry today said that Hindu endowments boards must be established at the state level, citing constitutional provisions. Speaking in the Dewan Negara, deputy minister R Lingeshwaran said that religious affairs fall under the jurisdiction of states, as set out in the Federal Constitution’s State List, Ninth Schedule. “Therefore, any policy, approach, or action involving religious matters, including the establishment of any board, institution, or wakaf entity based on religion, must fall under the jurisdiction of the respective state. “This is important to ensure that the management and administration of endowments are carried out legally, orderly, and in compliance with the applicable state laws,” he said in his winding-up speech to the king’s address for his ministry. Yuneswaran also said that the ministry would fully support states in establishing their own Hindu endowments boards, as implemented in Penang. “This support reflects respect for state sovereignty in religious matters and the federal government’s commitment to coordinated policy-making under the spirit of federalism to maintain national unity,” he added. The deputy minister was responding to a proposal by Senator Dr R Lingeshwaran for a national-level Hindu endowments board to regulate issues related to temples. Calls for such a board modelled after Penang followed the land dispute involving the Dewi Sri Pathrakaliaman Temple in Kuala Lumpur last year. The Penang Hindu Endowments Board, established in 1906 under colonial legislation, operates under the Penang government while remaining subject to federal audits and parliamentary oversight. However, in March last year, the ministry reportedly said there were no plans to establish a national-level board, as it expects to collect more data on temple land issues through a multi-stakeholder committee led by the Malaysia Hindu Sangam.