Malaysia to renew visas of temple priests from India, but in special categories only

Malaysia to renew visas of temple priests from India, but in special categories only

http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/holnus/003200804151542.htm

Kuala Lumpur (PTI): Malaysia today said it has decided to renew the visas of temple priests, musicians and sculptors from India who are currently in the country, a move that can be seen as a goodwill gesture to the ethnic Indian community alleging marginalisation in the multi-racial nation.
The Human Resources Ministry had raised the issue of getting visas and permits for temple priests, musicians and sculptors from India at a Cabinet meeting on April 9.
The announcement comes after immigration authorities had adopted a go-slow process on renewing visas of temple priests.
"The Cabinet has made the decision to allow or renew the visas of the temple priests, musicians and sculptors currently in Malaysia. In connection to that, the Cabinet has agreed to extend their service in this country, in special categories only," a statement issued by the Ministry said.
Human Resources Minister Subramaniam said he will meet Hindu and Sikh NGOs as soon as possible to discuss the categories that had been agreed on and the guidelines.
The statement said that "the Cabinet also wants efforts to be made to train local people to take over those tasks in the long term so that the reliance on temple priests, musicians and sculptors from foreign countries can be reduced."
An ethnic Indian leader on Monday appealed to the government to lift the ban on the recruitment of "urgently needed" priests from India for Hindu temples and Sikh gurdwaras. Ethnic Indians, mostly Hindus from Tamil Nadu, form 7.8 per cent of the country's population of 27 million.
The recent general elections saw the ruling Barisan Nasional coalition's majority dented, partly due to the discontent among ethnic Indians.