God’s little acre

GEORGE TOWN (June 16, 2011): Plans are afoot to convert the 200-year old Batu Kawan Cemetery, one of the largest and oldest Hindu burial grounds in the country, into a modern memorial park for the Indian community.

Penang Deputy Chief Minister (II) Prof Dr P Ramasamy said a proposal is being considered to carve out the 2ha land for conservation, with added features to highlight the history of the community there.

The cemetery which has more than 1,000 graves was first used in the early 1800s to bury indentured labourers brought in by the British colonial administration.

The numerous estates and plantations from that period exists till today, with many descendants of the original settlers still living there.

Ramasamy pointed out that the land was taken over by the previous state government when the Batu Kawan Stadium was being built about 15 years ago, so that it may be used for the stadium’s future expansion.

Many graves are believed to have been built over by the stadium.

“The current state government has now transferred the cemetery land to the Penang Hindu Endowment Board (HEB) so that it can be protected forever,” he said today.

The area is part of some 150 acres that is going to be gazetted by the state around the stadium.

He also revealed that the Penang Development Corporation (PDC) had previously been approached by a group who proposed to exhume all the bodies for RM1 million.

“I am waiting for a report from PDC on this matter and will expose the individuals,” he said.

Ramasamy, who is also HEB chairman, was speaking at a ceremony to give away cheques to tertiary students at Komtar here.

The HEB has allocated RM200,000 in scholarships for deserving students from low-income backgrounds this year.

He noted that the HEB’s move to give RM114,000 in scholarships last year marked the first time the body had disbursed money for education

Despite a provision in the Board’s enactment for it to render assistance in education and welfare, its activities have been limited to overseeing the management and accounts of five major temples in the state, and to help coordinate the annual Thaipusam festival in Penang.

“When these temples contribute their money to the Board, it is supposed to go to education and welfare,” Ramasamy stressed.

“So what has happened to the money collected for the last fifty years?” he asked, adding that it may have been channelled into other activities.

“That must stop. Money meant for education must be given for education. Don’t touch it,” he said.

He noted that in addition, the state government is now also providing a separate annual allocation totalling RM1.75 million to Tamil schools in Penang.