Ash Scattering! - Not ordinary Ash

Ash scattering ban revoked
By SARBAN SINGH
newsdesk@thestar.com.my
PORT DICKSON: The Port Dickson Municipal Council (MPPD) has rescinded a directive that families can only scatter 100gm of the remains of their cremated dead at a secluded spot at a stretch of beach near here.State Environment, Human Re­­sources, Plantation Affairs and Public Complaints Committee chairman Datuk V.S. Mogan said the state government had directed the MPPD to revoke the decision, announced just two days ago.“The MPPD has been told to rescind the order. Families who wish to scatter the ashes of their dead kin can do so at a Hindu temple on KM1.6 Jalan Pantai,” he said.
Many quarters had criticised the MPPD for its unilateral decision, which they said mocked the beliefs of some communities.Yesterday, The Star reported that the MPPD had implemented the ruling apparently to reduce sea pollution and to maintain cleanliness.The council said the Kuil Sri Maha Mariamman management was also asked to have a weighing scale at all times to ensure only 100gm of ash was scattered into the sea. The council did not say how or where the relatives could dispose of the remaining ashes.
Those caught performing the ceremony elsewhere in PD would be slapped with a RM250 compound.It is common for families from as far as Selangor and Malacca to perform the scattering of ashes in Port Dickson as part of their final rites.The Kuil Sri Maha Mariamman temple committee was notified of the ruling a day after StarMetro had highlighted the plight of residents who had asked the MPPD and the state authorities to help them build a crematorium.Mogan, who is also state MIC chairman, however, advised the families of the deceased not to throw pots and other prayer items into the sea.

He said the MPPD had received complaints from beach goers of such items being dumped indiscriminately by the beach.Residents had complained of the deplorable conditions at an open air crematorium in an oil palm estate in Jalan Sua Betong here.

There, there I did speak up my mind lately about PD. PD oh! PD. Here again MPPD is taking step to improve Port Dickson beaches with no intention of interfering with any religion ritual of practices. PD not only attracted holiday makers or weekend visitors to her beach but also frequent by families as far as from Selangor and Malacca to perform scattering of cremated human ashes into her sea. Even the dead also love PD!!!

The issue here, of all the place why PD....I think what MPPD doing is for the interest of the general public at large so with keeping up with environmental standard and how a tourist destination should be...clean,fresh,beautiful, cool sea breeze...but not floating remains of human ashes along the beaches.
Having a temple by the beach....historical maybe....been day for 100 over years-the normal defensive tagline for those who thought their community being oppress. Let it be there and be part of the tourist product. But, throwing and scattering ashes to a place frequent by all type of people..I mean the beach should need some form of review. Go and find other location... we have thousand of kilometers of beaches but don't do it in PD. Please...