Accord UNESCO heritage site status to the re-located temple

 

THE relocated Dewi Sri Pathrakaliamman temple in the Masjid India area needs to be declared a heritage site recognised by UNESCO.

According to UNESCO heritage requirements, a nearby relocation will not affect the heritage status. This must be the main demand of the temple committee and the Indian community for the relocated temple.

Since the relocation accords it a legal status the government can easily forward the application to UNESCO for the 130-year-old temple to be declared a heritage site. This will ensure that the temple does not lose its historical, cultural and religious significance.

The government and the Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) can be expected to be cooperative in putting forward the application now that the matter has been resolved.

One can have valid differences and speculations over how this issue was finally resolved but the reality is that the temple will be relocated.

The Indian community needs to make the best of the situation and build a beautiful temple on the new site. The temple could become a tourist attraction with UNESCO heritage status—something it does not have now.

Only local Indians visited and prayed in the present temple but the new temple could attract a lot of foreigners and tourists.

Other than that, the new temple committee should be given the freedom to construct a reasonably spacious place of worship without any constraints concerning design and architecture and be allowed to hold festivals and prayers despite the congested conditions in the locality.

The government needs to render whatever assistance by way of registration and other DBKL requirements.

There have been some controversies and rumours concerning the compensation paid to the temple for the re-location of the temple.

This could create disaffection with some parties. It will be better not to accept the compensation or financial assistance if it could lead to any ill-will.

Personally, I feel that the various costs and expenses of relocating and building the temple can be contributed by the Indian community who are sure to rise to the occasion going for donations from philanthropists and through crowd funding.

Meanwhile, I would also like to highlight Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s choice of words concerning the temple issue such as declaring the temple “illegal” at the outset, and at the recent ground-breaking ceremony for the Madani Mosque by usings words such as “victory”, “dominance” and “strength”.

Malaysia is founded on the goodwill spirit of muhibah and unity in diversity and one should be mindful of words used especially in controversial and polemical situations.

Now, Anwar has the onerous and difficult task of mending fences with the Indian community which was very much concerned over the entire episode. To what extent he will be able to placate the community is a matter for all to wait and see. 

V. Thomas is a Focus Malaysia viewer.

The views expressed are solely of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of  MMKtT.

- Focus Malaysia.