Cy-blur or Organisational Strategy – Letter from MGC

Malaysian Gurdwaras Council (MGC) president Jagir Singh responds to an Asia Samachar article entitled 'Cy-blur gurdwara council'

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Malaysian Gurdwaras Council (MGC) president Jagir Singh responds to an Asia Samachar article entitled ‘Cy-blur gurdwara Council’. 

MGC headquarters in Sentul, Kuala Lumpur. It is located just outside the Gurdwara Sahib Sentul. – PHOTO/ASIA SAMACHAR

 

Dear Editor,

SUBJECT: CY-BLUR OR ORGANISATION STRATEGY

The Malaysian Gurdwaras Council (MGC) refers to Hb Singh’s article titled “Cy-blur gurdwara Council” dated 21 November 2017 in the Asia Samachar. MGC takes the write-up and comments positively and as a chance to explain things.

The article basically raises 2 issues as follows:

1. MGC Social media presence.

2. Leadership succession (MGC).

1. M.G.C. Social Media presence.

The main grouse against MGC here is that it is hopeless when it comes to social media and further that it does not have a Facebook page. If the criteria is that a Facebook page is a must for any organisation then MGC can be said to be lacking in this respect. But is it so?

At the moment the, MGC organisational strategy to reach its members, include:

(i) Through whatsapp, E-mail and Fax.
(ii) Tour to all the states and to meet all the gurdwara Parbandaks, State by State, and discuss Panthic issues with them face to face.
(iii) Through seminars where lectures are given on Gurbani, gurdwara issues and the S.R.M.

There is always a Q & A with participants and gurdwara Parbandaks at the end of every seminar.

The following seminars were held for period May, 2016 to June, 2017:

1st seminar at K.L. on 7th & 8th May, 2016; 2nd at Kuantan on 26th June, 2016, 3rd in Ipoh on 30th and 31st July, 2016; 4th at Bayan Baru, Penang from 13th to 14th August, 2016; 5th at K.L again for Gurdwara Parbandaks from throughout the century; 6th at Malacca on 10th December,2016, 7th at Alor Setar on 13th May 2017; 8th at G.S. Sg. Petani, Kedah on 24th June, 2017; 9th at Ipoh on 25th June, 2017.

The MGC feels that with the above 3 steps taken, it was able to reach to its members and the gurdwara Parbandaks, effectively.

At seminars in addition to the Parbandaks, outside participants are also included.

The MGC has a specific target as its members, that is the Gurdwaras. Under MGC constitution only Gurdwaras can become members. There is no individual membership.

The organizational strategy can always be reviewed and changed in the future if deemed necessary due to changing circumstances.

Thus the question of social media presence or absence should be a non-issue.

2. Leadership succession (MGC):

The Asia Samachar is right when it says that I had put on record that the 2015 to 2017 term would be my last term.

Since then and the last more than 6 months I received many calls from gurdwara Parbandaks and sikh Leaders to not step down at this crucial time and to provide leadership for another term. I was also visited by 2 groups of sikh leaders on same issue and the need for me to stay on. The MGC exco at its last meeting also took decision for me to continue for another term.

At the A.G.M on 11-11-2017 I announced and put on record that I had made a public announcement in 2015 that 2015 to 2017 would be my last term and members to bear this in mind. Despite this I was the only once nominated and then unanimously elected. Therefore this decision was taken out of my hand.

The MGC had brought in about 10 youth in the last 3 to 4 years as EXCO members and are being trained and exposed to MGC workings. The MGC transition plan for the 11th November, 2017 AGM, was put on hold due to the above mentioned prevailing circumstances.

JAGIR SINGH
PRESIDENT,
MALAYSIAN GURDWARAS COUNCIL

MGC still hopeless at putting social media to work. Insert photo: MGC president Jagir Singh – Main photo: Pixabay / Insert photo: Asia Samachar

[ASIA SAMACHAR is an online newspaper for Sikhs in Southeast Asia and surrounding countries. We have a Facebook page, do give it a LIKE. Follow us on Twitter. Visit our website: www.asiasamachar.com] 16656

RELATED STORY:

Cy-blur gurdwara council (Asia Samachar, 21 Nov 2017)

MGC president Jagir, team elected unopposed (Asia Samachar, 11 Nov 2017)

MGC rolls out e-magazine, revamps website (Asia Samachar, 24 Aug 2016)

 

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1 COMMENT

  1. No response has been provided by MGC on website whose last entry is dated August 2016 nor any response on the need TO SHOW TRANSPARENCY AND ACCOUNTABILITY of FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT of MGC and over hundred GURDWARA SAHIB JIs which is another ASPECT I HAVE BEEN HIGHLIGHTING periodically.

    As regards succession policy some leaders promise to retire but then continue with justification that ‘the members called for them to continue’. With this justification many political/ngo/corporate/society/other leaders continue to hold the post to hold the KERUSI [which many find unable to let go] for decades unless they are removed by people or the Almighty. All are disposable is a fact of life as all are ‘terminal’ with ‘departure’ from mortal world predetermined except time-place-mode differs.

    It may be noted that MGC-Gurdwaras-NGOs may have received in the past and recently substantial sums [some in millions of RM] from various sources including donations/offerings from ordinary Sanggat but info on Financial Management is denied with reason that only registered members are entitled to view the accounts but the same persons feel nothing when seeking donations from Sanggat nor reject any donations from Sanggat for their proposed projects.

    TRANSPARENCY and ACCOUNTABILITY OF FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT OF MGC-GURDWARAS-NGOs SHOULD BE STANDARD CULTURE AND VOLUNTARY AS ITS ABSENCE CAN GIVE RISE TO PERCEPTION THAT THERE MAY BE POSSIBLE CASES OF MISMANAGEMENT-FRAUD-CORRUPTION-COLLUSION-EMBEZZLEMENT-CRONYISM-BRIBERY-KICKBACKS-NEPOTISM and that the MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE MEMBERS MAY BE COVERING UP IF ANY CASES.
    Where Greed is involved there is little fear of the Almighty and if any MFCCCEBKN cases are overlooked then it may only confirm the wrong perception which SHOULD BE AVOIDED BY BEING TRANSPARENT and SILENCE IS NOT GOLDEN and NOT RESPONDING in case of TRUST FUNDS which are substantial may only CONFIRM WRONG PERCEPTIONS.

    No malice against anyone but views based on personal observations/experiences/media reports.

    Gur Fateh

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