A new RM1.5 million crematorium in Butterworth will address a long-standing need for Hindu funeral facilities on Penang’s mainland.

GEORGE TOWN: After years of calls for better funeral infrastructure, the Hindu community in mainland Penang will finally have its own crematorium facility, with a RM1.5 million project planned in Bagan Dalam, Butterworth.

Prime Minister’s Special Duties Officer Shanmugam Mookan said the project is part of a federal initiative to build and upgrade crematorium facilities for the Hindu community across several states.

“The allocation for the Penang project is RM1.5 million,” he said, adding that the proposal was submitted by the Penang Hindu Endowments Board (PHEB).

PHEB is a statutory body responsible for administering Hindu religious endowments and temple properties in the state.

Established under the Hindu Endowments Act 1906, the board oversees several major Hindu temples and manages lands and facilities under its administration.

The tender notice for the project was announced on Feb 16 on PHEB’s Facebook page while a tender briefing was held on March 9.

On its website, PHEB said the development will be carried out through an open and transparent tender process, in line with principles of integrity, accountability and good governance.

“A site visit will be conducted soon,” said Shanmugam, adding that the funds have been distributed.

The crematorium initiative stems from a RM20 million allocation announced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim for crematorium facilities serving the Hindu community nationwide.

Shanmugam said the allocation was introduced to address the difficulties faced by Hindu families in areas where cremation facilities are limited.

“In some places, there are no crematorium facilities, so families must take the body to another district or even another state. This creates difficulties and additional costs for families.”

Under the programme, 10 crematorium projects have been approved following consultations with temple managements and community representatives.

The states involved are Johor, Perak, Selangor, Malacca, Kedah, Negeri Sembilan, Pahang and Penang. Johor and Perak will each have two projects while the remaining states will have one project each.

Some projects involve the construction of new crematoriums while others focus on upgrading existing facilities by installing modern incineration systems to increase capacity.

The proposed crematorium will be built on land owned by PHEB in Jalan Telaga Air.

The facility will include two modern incinerators designed to improve operational efficiency and increase cremation capacity.

It is expected to reduce waiting times and provide families with a more dignified final rites process.

“The objective is to ensure the Hindu community has proper cremation facilities that are accessible,” said Shanmugam.

The project addresses a long-standing gap on the mainland, as PHEB’s existing cremation facility is located at Batu Lancang Cemetery in George Town on Penang Island.

According to the 2020 census, Indians make up nearly 10% of Seberang Perai’s population of 946,092.

PHEB chairman R.S.N. Rayer, who is also Jelutong MP, welcomed the project, saying the community has waited long enough for a mainland facility.

“We are grateful to Anwar for recognising the needs of the Hindu community. I have been raising this issue for some time.”

All crematorium projects under the RM20 million allocation are expected to be completed by 2027, depending on the progress of the tender and construction processes in each state.

However, the Penang project is targeted for completion by the end of 2026. Once operational, the facility will be placed under the management of PHEB.

 The Sun Malaysia