ISKANDAR PUTERI: Johor MIC chairman Datuk M. Asojan has called on the state government to provide a temporary site deemed safe for the Hindu community to conduct final funeral rituals for their loved ones.

The Bukit Gambir assemblyman made the suggestion following a recent case where an 18-year-old teenage boy drowned while carrying out the ritual for his deceased uncle along the Johor Straits near Pantai Lido here on April 13.

“On behalf of the Johor Indian community, I urge the government to take concrete measures to resolve the issue since the Lido beach which is now known as Danga Bay has been undergoing developments.

“While waiting for a permanent site, I suggest a temporary site along with a tent set up for such rituals,” he said in his speech during the state assembly sitting here.

He added that the sea area near Kong-Kong in Masai has been identified as the potential permanent site for Hindu funeral rituals, which is usually conducted early in the morning, at about 5am.

“The ritual requires the deceased’s next-of-kin to submerge themselves in the water and this is why we need a safe and comfortable environment,” he explained to reporters when met during a break.

Asojan also called for support for the setting up of the proposed Bank of Johor but urged the government to ensure its mechanism in distributing loans would differ from conventional banks.

“I understand that the Johor Affordable Homes are priced between RM42,000 and RM150,000 but calculation would reveal that applicants would have to earn an average of RM5,000 monthly with zero commitments to be able to get loans approved in conventional banks.

“Also, we have not considered those who do not have a pay slip to produce as document such as fishermen or those in a freelance job, so I hope that the criteria for loans in this bank will differ from the rest,” he added.

Asojan also proposed that an Indian senior officer be placed at the education office in each district to resolve issues relating to Tamil schools statewide.

“Currently, we have only one supervisor who has his hands full as he has to look into the needs of 70 Tamil schools in Johor.

“I hope that the Education Department will consider creating new positions at all education department offices statewide or appoint existing Indian officers in the respective district to play the role among their other functions,” he said.