Asia Samachar

31/12/2025

Events | Malaysia: Nirvair Khalsa Jatha UK will be conducting kirtan and sermon in Johor Bahru and Tatt Khalsa. Check out the details.

31/12/2025

Sikh Coalition leads lawsuit against California DMV over revoked truck licences

By Asia Samachar | United States |

Thousands of immigrant truck drivers, many of them Punjabi Sikhs, have filed a class-action lawsuit against the California Department of Motor Vehicles, alleging that the revocation of their commercial driver’s licenses (CDLs) violates state law and threatens their livelihoods.

Los Angeles Times rpeorted that DMV issued 60-day cancellation notices beginning Nov. 6 to roughly 17,000 drivers after a federal audit concluded that their licenses were tied to immigration documents that had expired or were set to expire beyond the drivers’ authorised period of stay in the United States. Since then, the number of affected drivers has risen to more than 20,000.

The lawsuit, filed by the Sikh Coalition and the Asian Law Caucus on behalf of five CDL holders, argues that the situation arose from clerical errors by the DMV. Under California law, the plaintiffs contend, the agency is required either to correct the expiration dates itself or allow drivers to reapply without losing their licenses.

Munmeeth Kaur, legal director of the Sikh Coalition, warned that failure to halt the revocations could trigger widespread unemployment and disrupt supply chains during a critical period. “The clerical errors threatening their livelihoods are of the DMV’s own making,” she was quoted as saying by the newspaper.

Punjabi Sikh drivers form a significant segment of the US trucking workforce. Of the estimated 750,000 Punjabi Sikhs living in the country, about 150,000 work in trucking, with a heavy concentration on the West Coast.

The controversy has intensified amid federal pressure on states to tighten licensing standards. US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has criticised California for what federal officials describe as lax enforcement, while industry leaders such as J.B. Hunt have warned that stricter rules could remove hundreds of thousands of drivers nationwide over the coming years.

The case now places the future of thousands of immigrant truckers — and the stability of key logistics networks — before the courts.

In a social media update, the Sikh Coalition said that its Sikh Trucker Assistance Phone Line will provide details on issues like policies around English language proficiency and what kinds of immigrants are allowed licenses.

“If you are a Sikh trucker who has faced discrimination on the basis of your Sikh identity, call this confidential phone line and leave a message,” it said.

(Asia Samachar - December 31, 2025)

By Asia Samachar | United States | Thousands of immigrant truck drivers, many of them Punjabi Sikhs, have filed a class-action lawsuit against the California Department of Motor Vehicles, alleging …

31/12/2025

Another Gurmat Samelan sign off

By Jagdesh Singh | Opinion |

It rained in the evenings everyday that week everywhere else but Khalsa Land. Khalsa Land endured a short thunderstorm on Thursday that week but enjoyed a hot humid Annual Gurmat Parchaar Samelan from the 20th to the 26th of December this year.

This annual fixture has forged traditions for many Sikh families in Malaysia and Singapore over the many decades since the 70s. These families have had their calendars marked to attend the Annual Samelan every year.

Having attended my first Samelan in the Anderson Secondary School in Ipoh way back in 1987 as a twelve year old, I can consider myself a regular face. Before as a youth participant, now after being a father I’ve graduated into being a volunteer for the newer generation of Sikh children. You could say I know a little about these Samelans.

SEE ALSO: All about Samelan relationships

With the intention to teach our children the Sikh way of life, organizers have followed the true and tested templates of these camps with minor adjustments all these years. We do question ourselves if these templates do resonate to address the needs of our youth today and of the future, especially to newcomers who have never attended one of these Samelans ever before.

This year, the Learning Module lectures were delivered through the means if electronic media – slides projected with AI generated videos enriching the story telling of our rich history. Better late than never, I say.

We also had the Social Debates sessions, creating a platform for the Miri Piri participants aged from 13 to 17 years of age to debate about topics that envelope their lives such as the impacts of Social Media on their mental health. This platform gave us organizers strong indications that the kids have strong ideas and thoughts that they would want to be vocal about. They have their own voice and it’s not what we adults think it is. We too can learn from them.

Fun times at the 2025 Annual Gurmat Parchaar Samelan at Khalsa Land in KKB, Malaysia – Photo: SNSM Media Crew
The Mighty Khalsa groups aged from 7 to 11 and the Cool Khalsa groups aged 12 years fully leveraged the beautiful outdoors that Khalsaland could offer. Hikes and trips outside the vicinity of the Samelan grounds were planned encouraging physical activities while learning about the environment.

The Nikkey Khalsa group had toddlers enjoying activities catered by their parents taking their first baby steps into their Sikh way of life. At the other end of the spectrum, we have the Samelan Apprentice for ages 18 and above, all young enterprising adults earmarked as the immediate next generation of leaders.

It’s evdent from these different group ages that Sikh Naujawan Sabha Malaysia has always practised inclusivity, always encouraging Sikh families new to the Sikh way of life to come participate and experience it while learning about the Sikh values and principles.

It wouldn’t be a Samelan without its own drama for the year. It’s as though challenges are thrown by the powers that be to teach us the organizers about patience and humility as we impart these lessons to the youth. We had issues with water supply for our kitchen and our bathrooms in the living dorms. The Medical Bay was busy like any other year with minor injuries and kids with fever and flu.

Providing safe and comfortable dormitories for 900 odd inhabitants over the whole week while they learn in the temporary cabins treated as classrooms is no joke.

Like every other year, and I can attest to it being magical, the work of the Guru for His Paanth will continue. He has provided with abundance and will always continue to do so. The children experienced their Samelan with joy with us organizers very confident that they’ve picked up a little about the Sikh way of life.

It rained everyday everywhere else except at the Samelan.

(Asia Samachar - December 31, 2025)

Fun times at the 2025 Annual Gurmat Parchaar Samelan at Khalsa Land in KKB, Malaysia – Photo: SNSM Media Crew By Jagdesh Singh | Opinion | It rained in the evenings everyday that week everywh…

30/12/2025

MATA AMAR KAUR

Mata Amar Kaur

(Endau, Johor)

18.6.1937 - 30.12.2025

It is with deep sorrow that we annouce the peaceful passing of our beloved mother, Mata Amar Kaur w/o Late Pretam Singh d/o Late Tara Singh.

She was a woman of immense strengh and lived a life filled with compassion and grace, and will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her. May her soul rest in eternal peace.

Children & Spouses:
Jagan Kaur / Late Satbir Singh
Gurdial Singh (Rtd) Polis / Lenja @ Surinder
Gian Nor
Karnal Singh
Jugender Singh / Late Chim Mee Kin
Partap Singh / Harvinder Kaur
Jaswant Singh / Darjit Kaur

Grandchildren & Spouses:
Harjit Kaur
Amarjeet Singh
Dalvinder Singh
Sohan Singh
Narinder Kaur
Prakash Singh
Belinder Kaur
Sharon Kaur / Late Teh Zhi Mian
Ishana Kaur
Jasleen Kaur

LAST RITES
Thursday, 1st January 2026
12.00 noon onwards: Sri Sukhmani Sahib Path at Gurdwara Sahib Johor Bahru
2.45 pm: Cortege leaves Gurdwara Sahib Johor Bahru
3.30 pm: Saskaar (cremation) at Hindu Crematorium, Jalan Kebun Teh, Johor Bahru
4.30 pm: Ahlania de Path at Gurdwara Sahib Johor Bahru

PATH DA BHOG & ANTIM ARDAAS
Friday, 9th January 2026
From 10am to 12pm
Gurdwara Sahib Johor Bahru.

Gurdial 013 238 2988
Jaswant 018 236 2518

30/12/2025

Events | Malaysia: As we usher in 2026, here’s what’s lined up at gurdwaras nationwide. Thanks to SikhInside for bringing together a comprehensive roundup of programmes across Malaysia.

29/12/2025

SARDAR MEHAR SINGH GILL S/O PURAN SINGH

First Mithi Yaad

In Loving Memory

Sardar Mehar Singh Gill s/o Puran Singh

Petaling Jaya | Village Chuharchak

16.12.1940 to 26.11.2024

A year has passed, yet the memories of your love continue to warm our hearts. Forever cherished, forever missed.

Family and friends are warmly invited to join in First Barsi prayers at Gurdwara Sahib Seremban on Thursday, 1st January 2026 from 10:00 a.m - 12 noon followed by Guru Ka Langgar.

29/12/2025

SARDAR BALGIT SINGH RAJPUT S/O DAN SINGH

(Klang)

21.3.1950 - 29.12.2025

Wife: Otar Kaur d/o Saudagar Singh (Klang)

Children / Spouse
Resham Singh / Sherdip Kaur
Roshan Singh
Harpreet Kaur / Ajitpal Singh

Grandchildren
Kamalroop Singh
Ekampreet Kaur
Anmol Kaur
Gneev Kaur
Jvahar Singh

LAST RITES
Tuesday, 30 December 2025

12.00 PM: Naam Simran at residence
1.00 PM: Sukhmani Sahib Path - at residence
2.45 PM: Cottage leaves for cremation (timing updated)
3.30 PM: Saskaar (cremation) at Hindu Crematorium Kebun Teh
4.30 PM: Ahlania de Path at Gurdwara Sahib Johor Bahru

(Residence: Naam Simran at No 31, Jalan Seri Orkid 43, Taman Seri Orkid, 81300, Skudai, Johor)

ANTIM ARDAAS & PATH DA BHOG
Saturday, 10 January 2025
2.00pm to 4.00pm
Gurdwara Sahib Johor Bahru

Contact
Resham 013 707 0773
Roshan 016 308 9850
Ajitpal 012 277 3912

29/12/2025

| Here to stronger hips

28/12/2025

A Sikh reflection on forgiveness, parental responsibility and the moral courage to choose inclusion over estrangement when love and marriage cross cultural or religious boundaries. Dr B. S. Bains puts forwards his thoughts.

By Dr. B. S. Bains | Opinion | Whether intercultural or interfaith marriages should be encouraged or discouraged is a question shaped by personal belief, cultural comfort and religious interpretati…

28/12/2025

28/12/2025

Live Capture | A beautiful rendition of Dhan Guru Gobind Singh by Nirvair Khalsa Jatha UK at Gurdwara Sahib Sentul KL, Kuala Lumpur, on Dec 27, 2025.