Newly appointed Penang Hindu Endowment Board (PHEB) chairman RSN Rayer has announced that his main focus will be on building consensus within the board. He mentioned that the board’s commissioners come from various backgrounds, including a temple priest who will provide guidance on religious matters. Additionally, there is a representative from the Gujerati community.
Rayer expressed their commitment to serving with dedication and promoting inclusiveness. He also stated their openness to suggestions and perspectives from all parties involved in the board’s activities. These remarks were made after introducing the new PHEB commissioners at Komtar. It marks the first time an MP has been appointed as the chairman of the board. Previously, the role was held by the state executive councillor in charge of Indian affairs.
Regarding the Thaipusam festival, Rayer was asked if there would only be one chariot procession next year. In response, he clarified that both the golden and silver chariot processions will continue, at least for now. Rayer emphasized their intention to be seen as people-friendly and avoid any confrontations. The issue of the chariot procession has been a point of contention between PHEB and the Chettiars ever since the introduction of the golden chariot in 2017, which was perceived as a challenge to the long-standing monopoly of the silver chariot operated by the Nattukottai Chettiars.
In recent years, two chariots have been part of the journey from Little India to the temples in Jalan Kebun Bunga. Alongside Rayer, the other commissioners appointed to the board include Senator Dr R. Lingeshwaran as deputy chairman, Dr Vishantini Kanasan as secretary, state executive council member Datuk Seri Sundarajoo Somu, Batu Uban assemblyman A. Kumaresan, Bagan Dalam assemblyman Kumaran Krishnan, and Penang MIC chairman Datuk J. Dhinagaran. The remaining board members are Sundraraj Thannimalay, Datuk Parthiban Sanderasaggram, Jagruti B. Upadhyaya, Dinesh Nagan, Shanmuganathan Govindasamy, and Chandra Mohan Krishnan.
Prior to Rayer’s appointment, the PHEB was led by former Perai assemblyman and Deputy Chief Minister II Dr P. Ramasamy, who left DAP a few days before the state elections in August. – By R. SEKARAN
Credit: The Star : Metro Feed
