I was at a temple a few nights ago (yes, occasionally i do go over, mainly to pray for my family's good health and happiness). A friend walked over and asked if i wanted to buy a dinner ticket. Well, i had the cash, so i took a ticket. RM200. At a seafood restaurant.
It was a fund raising dinner. The indian community in johor bahru, spearheaded by one of the temples in town and with the backing of the MIC was organising a fund raising dinner to build a crematorium here! Seems that the building was completed, and now they needed funds to get the burners and ancillary stuff. Seems too that part of the initial cost was forked out by the State Authority.
Ok, at this point of time, the basic details are such. Perhaps tonight i will get the exact information and the parties involved.
Upon receipt of the ticket, i engaged my friend into a discussion. Isnt it the right of the citizen of this country to expect the State (either the federal, state or local authorities) to be responsible for burial and cremation facilities?
Why is it for so many years there has not been proper allocation of burial spots for Hindus, within the city area? The one at Jalan Kebun Teh is so used up that some uneasy stories have been emerging over the past years. I heard of stories where old neglected graves being exhumed and buried deeper, and a new gravesite prepared over it! [this appears to be acceptable within some communities, supposedly]
Sad to say, up to now there is not a single crematorium built by the State within Johor Bahru. I am uncertain of the situation within other districts but do know that within the Klang Valley there are local councils that actually built and managed them for the public.
So, what do the Hindus do thus far? Well, most head to the Chinese creamatoriums managed by their community bodies, or to private facilities. And when all else is unavailable, they just opt for the traditional wood fire cremation within the existing cemetaries. The problems do not end there.
For Hindus, once the remains are cremated, the following day the remains are immersed into flowing water i.e. the river or the sea. There are various beliefs and reasons for doing so. After a certain number of days, prayers are also held at the waterfront and some items (bio-degradeable and non-poinsonous therefore ok for the environment) are also immersed into the flowing water. There has been many instances in the past where grieving parties holding such ceremonies being asked by local authority officers to move away. Thus instances of people even going to various extents such as doing prayers in the early pre-dawn times, just to avoid a summon, so as to perform a very basic prayer requirement for the departed. [trust me, sitting om the beach and performing prayers during pre-dawn with a drizzling rain, every rain drop hitting your skin like a needle, while grieving the loss of a loved one, isnt only a torture but an insult to the living, and the dead]
There is no imposition of our cultural or religious beliefs upon others. Is it too much to expect the government to be equally responsible for the departed Hindu, or for that matter non-muslim, tax paying citizens? Very very few Hindus wish to be buried. Cremation is the preferred choice, and it is a practical choice without placing burden on our scarce land. Yes, perhaps there environmental issues, but its nothing compared to the blatant pollution we're subjected to by industries in this country.
Perhaps those trying to raise funds will attempt to explain these issues. I have my doubts. For far too long, we are being treated like trash. And i dont foresee things to change in my short remaining lifespan. Perhaps this too explains why the chinese community had long ago spearheaded self-sufficiency in taking care of their living and their dead, amongst others. There will be some rejoicing the fact that finally there is going to be a facilty for the community.
But then, in the first place, shouldnt it have been the basic responsibility of the State to provide this decades ago?
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3 comments:
I was not aware of this problem till you brought it up. It left me to wonder what a law abiding, tax paying citizen is to do when trying to deal with this.
Consult your MP? I don't even know where his office is and what number to call. Perhaps call 100 for information.
Consult MIC? I'm sure they, of all people, would know about this situation and they're dragging their feet going about it.
Consult the Opposition parties? Surefire way to create publicity and furore and the gov't surely won't lift a finger out of spite.
If the MOF were to allocate funds to build crematoriums all over the country and opens up a tender, surely something will get done. Contractors will make luxurious crematoriums what we would...err..die for.
You've brought up a brilliant idea to prop up our construction industry. Win-win situation for all.
MOF gives a monopoly to some umnoputra linked company who sub-cons to a number of umnoputras, to build at least one crematorium in each district, throughout the country. Thats hundreds of million worth of work. They make, and the citizens benefit.
environmental concerns are stumbling blocks to building crematoriums. Yeah, you can get fancy mancy super deluxe model which blows out clean air but there's a huge price to it.
But I'm sure it can be done. Afterall, chinese businessmen have been making money selling plots of land at exorbitant prices to bury the dead.
you must be rich to die these days.
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