BN approved project near Batu Caves

A Selangor exco's aide reveals that it is BN which approved a construction project near the iconic temple.

PETALING JAYA: The Selangor state government today dismissed the allegation that it approved a housing project near Batu Caves, which has left the temple committee and residents fuming.

Exco Dr Xavier Jayakumar’s special officer A Pakkiya Nathan revealed that the township project was approved by local authorities in 2007 under the Barisan Nasional state government.

Yesterday, R Nadarajah (photo), chairman of the Sri Maha Mariamman Devasthanam, which manages the Sri Subramaniar Swamy temple in Batu Caves, vowed to stage a peaceful gathering on Friday to protest the construction of two 29-storey condominiums in the area.

He said the peaceful protest aimed to put pressure on the PKR-led state government as the project could pose a danger to the structures in Batu Caves.

MIC president G Palanivel also raised concern over the project, saying that it would affect the stability of the caves and the statues.

However, Pakkiya Nathan urged both the MIC president and the temple committee not to politicise the matter.

“The project was approved in 2007. And what have the temple committee and MIC been doing over the five year period?” he asked.

“It is weird that the temple committee chairman came to know of it through a friend,” he said.

He said that the proposed township project comprised terrace houses, condominiums and shop lots.

“We (the state government) welcome the temple committee to come forward to discuss the matter with the state authority,” he added.