Hindu Endowments (Amendment) Bill

The Minister for Culture, Community and Youth introduced the Hindu Endowments (Amendment) Bill to update the Hindu Endowments Act, specifically section 20 governing temple management committees.
The Bill increases the committee size from eight to 12 members, raises the meeting quorum from four to six, and extends member terms from two to three years to improve effectiveness.
These changes aim to provide temple committees with greater expertise, sustained leadership, and better capacity to manage religious and charitable endowments.
The Bill was read a second time, committed to a Committee of the whole House, reported without amendment, and passed.

Order for Second Reading read.

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.

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]

The Minister for Culture, Community and Youth introduced the Hindu Endowments (Amendment) Bill to update the Hindu Endowments Act, specifically section 20 governing temple management committees.
The Bill increases the committee size from eight to 12 members, raises the meeting quorum from four to six, and extends member terms from two to three years to improve effectiveness.
These changes aim to provide temple committees with greater expertise, sustained leadership, and better capacity to manage religious and charitable endowments.
The Bill was read a second time, committed to a Committee of the whole House, reported without amendment, and passed.

The Minister for Culture, Community and Youth introduced the Hindu Endowments (Amendment) Bill to update the Hindu Endowments Act, specifically section 20 governing temple management committees.
The Bill increases the committee size from eight to 12 members, raises the meeting quorum from four to six, and extends member terms from two to three years to improve effectiveness.
These changes aim to provide temple committees with greater expertise, sustained leadership, and better capacity to manage religious and charitable endowments.
The Bill was read a second time, committed to a Committee of the whole House, reported without amendment, and passed.

Order for Second Reading read.

Mr Speaker, I beg to move, "That the Bill be now read a Second time."

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.

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]

The Minister for Culture, Community and Youth introduced the Hindu Endowments (Amendment) Bill to update the Hindu Endowments Act, specifically section 20 governing temple management committees.
The Bill increases the committee size from eight to 12 members, raises the meeting quorum from four to six, and extends member terms from two to three years to improve effectiveness.
These changes aim to provide temple committees with greater expertise, sustained leadership, and better capacity to manage religious and charitable endowments.
The Bill was read a second time, committed to a Committee of the whole House, reported without amendment, and passed.

Hindu Endowments (Amendment) Bill

Summary

Questions Identified

Full Transcript

The Minister for Culture, Community and Youth (Ms Grace Fu Hai Yien)

Speaker

[Mr Speaker in the Chair]

Summary

Questions Identified

Hindu Endowments (Amendment) Bill

Summary

Questions Identified

Full Transcript

The Minister for Culture, Community and Youth (Ms Grace Fu Hai Yien)

Speaker

[Mr Speaker in the Chair]

Summary

Questions Identified