34-year-old temple escapes demolition at last minute

The Sri Maha Kaliamman temple at Cochrane, Kuala Lumpur today was given another lifeline, as its demolition due today, was put off for another two weeks.

This followed negotiations between PKR-Batu MP Tian Chua and Deputy Minister for Federal Territories and Urban Well-being M Saravanan yesterday.

According to Chua (left), he had appealed to Saravanan to postpone the demolition to give the temple committee time to discuss and come to a decision about the eviction notice.

"It is commendable that the government is offering compensation and a piece of land for relocation, but the temple committee and devotees are reluctant to move because the temple is built beside a tree which they consider sacred," he said when contacted.

As such, the committee of the temple, built in 1967, have been given two weeks to set up a taskforce to decide if it will take up the government's offer of a piece of land about 500 metres from its present location and RM200,000 in compensation.

The government is also willing to place three families who reside on temple grounds in public housing in Cheras and Puchong.

It is understood that the taskforce will be headed by Hindu Sevasangam chairperson Ramaji, the temple committee, NGO representatives and lawyers.

'Unnecessary tension'

The announcement was made by Saravanan at the temple this morning, after about 80 devotees, including school-going children, had gathered in anticipation of the demolition by KL City Hall (DBKL) which had arrived with bulldozers.

Eyewitness and Subang PKR secretary G Manivanan also estimated there were about 30 uniformed and plainclothes police at the temple this morning.

"This created unnecessary tension. Saravanan could have just communicated this to DBKL and the temple committee by phone, as many of the devotees took leave thinking the temple would be demolished today," he said.

According to a press statement by Saravanan (left), the Federal reserve land occupied by the temple will be part of a mixed development comprising of commercial and residential elements.

"This includes the MRT walkway for public usage," said the MIC vice president.

Besides the temple, he said residents of 382 government quarters in the area have also been relocated to Putrajaya and Kuala Lumpur.

'Preserve history'

Chua, however, felt that the government should facilitate preserving the temple as much of the development will be commercial in nature, and not for public use.

"Our checks yesterday found that the land had been given to LTAT, which is a government-linked company.

"We hope the government can help preserve history as the demolition of structures and relocation of people has fast changed the face and culture of Kuala Lumpur," he said.

The temple received its first eviction notice on April 13, which according to the deputy minister, was followed up with discussions between the temple committee and the ministry on Apr 26, June 23 and Aug 4.

The second eviction notice was served on July 29.

"The Finance Ministry, Prime Minister's Department, DBKL and the Kuala Lumpur Land Office had jointly contributed to this matter by making the offers stated.

"The government will always assist to alleviate difficulties faced by the temple in their move," the deputy minister said. - Malaysiakini