KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA, December 16, 2001: The Malaysian Hindu Sangam (MHS) urged the government yesterday to review the policy of not having religious classes for non-Muslims in schools and enforce the ban on the sale of drugs, liquor and illicit samsu [a local alcoholic drink] in provision shops and stalls. Speaking at the opening ceremony of the Hindu youth leadership camp, MHS president A. Vaithilingam said the lack of religious and spiritual background in the Malaysian education system for non-Muslims could lead to an undisciplined, selfish, materialistic and immoral community. There is religious study for Muslims in Malaysian schools, but no religious study for non-Muslims. “The youths have been groping for guidance. With this in mind, the Sangam has drawn up a plan to train and mobilize Hindu youth leaders to campaign and motivate youths to be more positive in their approach to life. The two-day camp in Kuala Selangor, the first in a series, is aimed at instilling a “spiritual base with human values.” “We are training the youths on spiritual-based leadership. It (the camp) is completely Malaysian-oriented, the speakers are all local,” he said, adding that some of the speakers were religious teachers and others were motivational youth speakers. Vaithilingan said similar camps would be conducted in other regions.
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