Malaysian Cabinet clears annual visa renewal for Indian temple priests

Kuala Lumpur, June 2 : The Malaysian Cabinet has cleared the annual visa renewal and approval for Indian temple priests, musicians and artisans, but the Home and Human Resources ministries have yet to work out the details.

The Star quoted Human Resources Minister Dr S. Subramaniam as saying that the guidelines for the temple workers should be ready by next month and that both ministries' officials would be meeting soon to formulate the criteria for visa approval.

He said the Immigration Department was giving month-to-month visa approval to those currently waiting for their extension.

"The decision is clear and the Cabinet has already approved the visas for the three categories of temple workers. New applications will have to wait for the guidelines for recruiting these foreign workers. Once the implementation mechanism is worked out, the criteria will be announced," he told The Star.

Dr Subramaniam was responding to Hindu Endowment Board chief A. Thanashekaran view that the Government had refused to approve the extension of permits for foreign priests and temple musicians from India.

The Makkal Osai newspaper quoted Thanashekaran as saying that the Immigration Department had rejected new applications.

ANI