PERUMAL AND SIVAN TEMPLES

Mr S. V. Lingam asked the Minister for Social Affairs (a) why the construction of the two Hindu Temples, namely, the Perumal Temple in Serangoon Road and the Sivan Temple in Orchard Road is being held up; (b) when did the construction work start: (c) what is the amount of money collected from members of the public; (d) what is the estimated cost of the construction; and (e) who are the members of the Temple committees.

Inche Othman Bin Wok: Mr Speaker, Sir,

(a) I am told that there has been sonie unavoidable delay because the Sthapathies (Temple Architects) arrived in Singapore only towards the end of last year because of passport difficulties. 1-lowever, as the hon. Member knows, construction work on Hindu Temples of this size generally takes a considerable time to complete, and I am infornied that work on these temples has been going on at the normal rate.

(b) The Building Contractors commenced the work of the building of Perumal and Sivan Temples at the beginning of April 1961, and completed their work on both Temples in May 1962. Since the latter date the Indian Sthapathies have been busy with the ornarnental works in the Temples.

(c) The total amount of money collected from members of the public up to February 1964, by the Board and the Building Fund Committee for the Sivan and Perumal Temples, including the sum of $50,000 contributed by the City Council of Singapore towards the cost of rebuilding the Sivan Temple together with the accrued interest, was about $133,500. There is still a sum of $30,000 to be collected from members of the public who have promised contributions.

(d) The estimated construction cost of the Sivan Temple is $115,000. The estimated construction cost of the Perumal Temple together with the Rajagopuram (or the High Entrance Tower) will be in the region of $270,000; this includes the cost of boundary wall and wire mesh fencing estimated at $15,000. The total cost of the two Temples will, therefore, be in the region of $385,000.

(e) The four Hindu Temples under the administration of the Muslim and Hindu Endowments Board are managed by a Management Committee composed of the following:-

(1) G. Kandasamy (Chairman)

(2) V. Pakirisamy

(3) P. Govindaswamy Pillai

(4) S. L. Perumal

(5) M. Balasubramanion

(6) R. S. Sithamparam (Hon. Secretary)

(7) S. Ramaiah Thevar

(8) K. Samiappan

(9) S. Pothiappan.

Mr Lingam: Mr Speaker, a supplementary question: Is the Minister aware that the six domes of the two temples which were completed in 1962 were pulled down and rebuilt in 1963? And can the Minister confirm that there was a waste of $40,000 of public funds due to this constructional bungling?

Inche Othman Bin Wok: Mr Speaker, Sir, I do wish that the Member could give me notice to answer that. But, anyway, I wish to state here, with regard to his question, that I have already stated in my answer that there has been some unavoidable delay because the Sthapathies arrived in Singapore only towards the end of last year.

Mr Lingam: A supplementary question again, Mr Speaker, Sir. Can the Minister make it clear whether the following four amounts are included in the sum of $133,500, i.e. (i) $50,000 contributed by the City Council; (ii) approximately $11,000 paid as voluntary donations by certain Muslim and Hindu shopkeepers of Campbell Lane for trans ferring of tenancy of properties belonging to the Hindu Temples; and (iii) approximately $5,900 collected from the public for the purposes of Hindu destitutes' burial fund, which amount was handed over by the Hindu Advisory Board: and (iv) $30,000 promised by members of the public?

Mr Speaker: Would the Member like to repeat that question?

Mr Lingam: Can the Minister make it clear whether the following four amounts are included in the sum of $133,500: (i) $50,000 contributed by the City Council; (ii) approximately $11,000 paid as voluntary donations by certain Muslim and Hindu shopkeepers of Campbell Lane for transferring of tenancy of properties belonging to Hindu Temples; (iii) approximately $5,900 collected from the public for purposes of Hindu destitutes' burial fund, which amount was handed over by the Hindu Advisory Board: and (iv) $30,000 promised by members of the public?

Inche Othman: Mr Speaker, Sir, the answer is that the amount of $133,500 includes the sum of $50,000 contributed by the City Council of Singapore, hut it does not include the $30,000 which has yet to be collected from those who have promised to contribute.

I have no information regarding the other figures stated in the question.

Mr Lingam: In the interests of the public, will the Minister consider looking deeper into this matter and give a written answer?

Inche Othman Bin Wok: If the Member so wishes, yes.