Hindu Endowments (Amendment) Bill
Ministry of Culture, Community and YouthBill Summary
Purpose: The Bill seeks to amend the Hindu Endowments Act to enhance the management of the four temples administered by the Hindu Endowments Board by increasing the maximum size of temple management committees from eight to 12 members, raising the meeting quorum from four to six, and extending the term of office for members from two to three years.
Responses: Minister Grace Fu Hai Yien justified the amendments by explaining that larger committees would provide a broader mix of expertise and experience to meet modern management demands, while the longer three-year term would allow members more time to contribute meaningfully and see through their plans for temple improvements and worshipper well-being.
Members Involved
Transcripts
First Reading (3 February 2020)
"to amend the Hindu Endowments Act (Chapter 364 of the 1994 Revised Edition)",
presented by the Senior Minister of State for Culture, Community and Youth (Ms Sim Ann) on behalf of the Minister for Culture, Community and Youth; read the First time; to be read a Second time after the conclusion of proceedings on the Estimates of Expenditure for FY2020/21, and to be printed.
Second Reading (25 March 2020)
Order for Second Reading read.
4.12 pm
The Minister for Culture, Community and Youth (Ms Grace Fu Hai Yien): Mr Speaker, I beg to move, "That the Bill be now read a Second time."
The Hindu Endowments Act was enacted on 1 May 1969 and provides for the Hindu Endowments Board to administer Hindu religious and charitable endowments. At present, the Board administers four temples, namely Sri Mariamman Temple at South Bridge Road, Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple at Serangoon Road, Sri Sivan Temple at Geylang East and Sri Vairavimada Kaliamman Temple at Toa Payoh.
This Bill contains three amendments to section 20 of the Hindu Endowments Act, which relates to the appointment of the temple management committees of the four temples under the Hindu Endowments Board. Let me take Members through the amendments.
The first amendment in section 20(2) of the Act will allow each temple management committee to comprise up to 12 members, an increase from the current eight members. By ensuring a broader mix of expertise and experience, the temple management committees will be better positioned to meet the heavier demands of temple management.
The second amendment is to section 20(3), the quorum at all meetings of the temple management committees will be increased from four to six members, so that we keep the same proportion to meet quorum as we increase the committee's membership size.
The third and final amendment is to section 20(4) of the Act, which will allow members of the temple management committee to serve a longer term of office of up to three years, instead of the current two years. This will provide members more time to contribute meaningfully and see through their plans to improve the temple and the well-being of its worshippers.
In sum, these three amendments will ensure that the temple management committees will continue to be effective in discharging their responsibilities in today's operating environment. Mr Speaker, this Bill amends the Hindu Endowments Act in the manner that I have just described. Sir, I beg to move.
Question proposed.
Question put, and agreed to.
Bill accordingly read a Second time and committed to a Committee of the whole House.
The House immediately resolved itself into a Committee on the Bill. – [Ms Grace Fu Hai Yien].
Bill considered in Committee; reported without amendment; read a Third time and passed.
Mr Speaker: Order. I propose to take a break now. I propose that we resume Sitting at 4.35 pm. Order, order.
Sitting accordingly suspended
at 4.15 pm until 4.35 pm.
Sitting resumed at 4.35 pm
[Mr Speaker in the Chair]