The Batu Caves temple has given the Selangor government one month to issue a permanent stop-work order for the construction of a neighbouring 29-storey condominium.
“We will give some time for the state government to see whether they will stop permanently or not,” said Sri Subramaniar Temple committee chairperson R Nadarajah (left).
When asked which parties they would sue should their demands be ignored, he said he would have to seek legal advice on the matter first.
Nadarajah was speaking at a press conference today after leading a 300-strong protest against the condominium close to the historic temple just north of Kuala Lumpur.
When asked to comment, Selangor state exco member Xavier Jeyakumar urged the temple committee to approach the government instead.
"I would sincerely ask the temple to stop issuing ultimatums to the state government," he said, adding that its doors are always open.
Nadarajah acknowledged that the state government has issued a temporary stop work order after meeting his committee, but said he was not satisfied.
"I would sincerely ask the temple to stop issuing ultimatums to the state government," he said, adding that its doors are always open.
Nadarajah acknowledged that the state government has issued a temporary stop work order after meeting his committee, but said he was not satisfied.
'Blocking the view'
Nadarajah and the other protesters are concerned that if the construction were to proceed, it would obstruct the view of the limestone hillsides from the nearby elevated Middle Ring Road 2 (MRR2).
"You'd completely block (the view from the highway). If the building goes ahead, it would be as if there is no Batu Caves.
“People will forget about it; there is no respect being shown," said Malaysian Nature Society representative Lim Teckwyn who was at the rally.
When asked if there would be objection if it were a nine-storey building instead, former Works Minister S Samy Vellu who was also present replied, "Geographically, a nine-storey would not block the hill and this area.
"If you travel by the elevated road that was built during my time as works minister, we have taken consideration of all that. When you are travelling on the road you must always see the whole hillside. Everything."
Lim also claimed that Batu Caves is an environmentally sensitive area with hundreds of species of animals, some of which are unique to the area. Despite that, no environmental impact assessment was made for the condominium project, he said.
In addition, he said Batu Caves has a risky hillside with overhangs and cracks on its cliff face.
Therefore, he said, in accordance to federal guidelines there should be no new development within an area that is twice the height of the hill. Batu Caves is 326 metres tall at its highest point but averages at about 100 metres.
"So at the very minimum, it should keep this 200 metre buffer before allowing new residential developments to come up," he said.
Lim and Nadarajah also complained that they were never consulted on the project.
Nadarajah said he only found out about the project last week when he returned from abroad, while Lim said he only heard of it through word of mouth.
"You'd completely block (the view from the highway). If the building goes ahead, it would be as if there is no Batu Caves. “People will forget about it; there is no respect being shown," said Malaysian Nature Society representative Lim Teckwyn who was at the rally.
When asked if there would be objection if it were a nine-storey building instead, former Works Minister S Samy Vellu who was also present replied, "Geographically, a nine-storey would not block the hill and this area.
"If you travel by the elevated road that was built during my time as works minister, we have taken consideration of all that. When you are travelling on the road you must always see the whole hillside. Everything." Lim also claimed that Batu Caves is an environmentally sensitive area with hundreds of species of animals, some of which are unique to the area. Despite that, no environmental impact assessment was made for the condominium project, he said.
In addition, he said Batu Caves has a risky hillside with overhangs and cracks on its cliff face.
Therefore, he said, in accordance to federal guidelines there should be no new development within an area that is twice the height of the hill. Batu Caves is 326 metres tall at its highest point but averages at about 100 metres. "So at the very minimum, it should keep this 200 metre buffer before allowing new residential developments to come up," he said.
Lim and Nadarajah also complained that they were never consulted on the project.
Nadarajah said he only found out about the project last week when he returned from abroad, while Lim said he only heard of it through word of mouth.
Pointing fingers
Xavier (below) had earlier claimed that the protest was politically motivated since there project had been approved under BN rule, and there had been no objection from the temple although the condominium's sales gallery has been set up next to the hill for the past four years.
He yesterday pointed out that the approval for the condominium was issued by the council on May 13, 2008 while the new council under Pakatan was only sworn in on July 5, 2008.
Meanwhile when asked whom would the protestors blame for the present debacle, both Samy and Nadarajah said they there are not here to point fingers but to protect the temple and the surrounding environment.
Lim then interjected saying, "I would agree entirely with what Datuk (Nadarajah) has just said, but I would say, 'Who has the power to stop this?'
"This is the present city council, and if they do not stop this then they would be to blame.
Xavier (below) had earlier claimed that the protest was politically motivated since there project had been approved under BN rule, and there had been no objection from the temple although the condominium's sales gallery has been set up next to the hill for the past four years.
He yesterday pointed out that the approval for the condominium was issued by the council on May 13, 2008 while the new council under Pakatan was only sworn in on July 5, 2008. Meanwhile when asked whom would the protestors blame for the present debacle, both Samy and Nadarajah said they there are not here to point fingers but to protect the temple and the surrounding environment.
Lim then interjected saying, "I would agree entirely with what Datuk (Nadarajah) has just said, but I would say, 'Who has the power to stop this?'
"This is the present city council, and if they do not stop this then they would be to blame.
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