DBKL revokes temple eviction notice

The Sri Muneswarar Kaliyaman temple at Jalan P Ramlee is saved for now, after DBKL agreed to revoke its eviction order.

KUALA LUMPUR: The Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) has officially revoked the eviction order issued to Sri Muneswarar Kaliyaman Temple at Jalana P Ramlee on Sept 25.

Temple committee member, M Nalini, confirmed the receipt of the revocation letter at 5pm this evening.

In a SMS to all temple devotees and committee members, Nalini said the temple received a letter from DBKL this evening, revoking the earlier eviction notice.

This morning, about 50 people protested in front of DBKL against the proposed demolition of the 100-year-old temple located at Jalan P Ramlee.

The entourage, which arrived at 11am, was led by PKR vice-president N Surendran and the temple chairman S Balasubramaniam. Also present were DAP MPs M Manogaran, Tan Kok Wai, Fong Kui Lun and WargaAman secretary-general S Barathidasan.

The temple, located at the Golden Triangle area, was slapped with an eviction notice by DBKL last month, asking the occupants to relocate within 30 days.

The notice was issued despite an on-going court proceeding between DBKL and the temple committee on the land matter.

“The notice is illegal as the case is still in court. And you’re doing this when Deepavali is just around the corner. Don’t anger the Indian community,” said Manogaran.

Tan said DBKL’s move showed how Barisan Nasional treated the Indian community and had no respect towards freedom of religion as guaranteed by the Federal Constitution.

“I’m surprised DBKL can be so stupid. The officer involved must be punished for this,” said the Cheras MP.

DBKL director-general’s aide, Shahlan Amborz Zainuddin, arrived to meet the protesters and listed their demand before going back into his office.

About 20 minutes later, Shahlan arrived, together with DBKL’s deputy director of Design and Building Management, Alias Majoh, who promised that the order would be revoked.