GEORGE TOWN: The Penang government said it will fight a lawsuit against the Hindu Endowments Board (PHEB) by six parties, including the Malaysia Hindu Sangam (MHS).
Deputy chief minister P Ramasamy said it had engaged senior lawyer Gopal Sri Ram, who will lead a team of lawyers, to represent the state and PHEB in the case.
He said Sri Ram had helped PHEB win a case at the Federal Court last year brought on by the insolvency department over a temple issue.
Six people, including the president of MHS, have filed an originating summons against the Penang government and PHEB, asking for the 1906 Hindu Endowments Ordinance to be declared void.
They claim the law has deprived the Penang Hindu community of fundamental liberties, assured under Articles 8 and 11 to 13 of the Federal Constitution, through the takeover of temples and Hindu organisations.