Relocation of KL temple should not be an option

 

The Kuala Lumpur mayor as well as the developer’s statement suggesting an alternative site for relocating the 130-year-old Dewi Sri Pathrakaliamman Temple is not just unacceptable - it is deeply distressing and unjust.

This temple is not just a structure; it is a sacred sanctuary, woven into the very soul of the Indian community in Malaysia.

For over a century, it has stood as a beacon of faith, history, and cultural identity. To suggest it can simply be “relocated”, as if it were a mere inconvenience, is to disregard the emotional and spiritual ties that generations have built with this place of worship.

Such disregard wounds the hearts of devotees who have prayed, celebrated, and found solace within its sacred walls.

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This temple was not built illegally or without approval - it was established just like many other temples in Selangor during the colonial era with the express sanction of the then-British resident-general, who was an adviser to the Selangor ruler.

Official minutes from the Selangor Government Administration Report in the late 1800s and early 1900s prove that the government at the time actively encouraged the building of temples and settlements for the Indians with promises of land upon completion of two-year indentured labour.

This was done to accommodate the large number of labourers brought from Tamil Nadu to power Malaya’s plantations, railways, roads, and government infrastructure. This promise, however, did not materialise.

To now dismiss this historical fact and proceed with plans to demolish the temple is a blatant act of erasure - an attempt to wipe out the contributions of the Indian community from Malaysia’s history.

Not just bricks and mortar

This is not just about one temple; it is about acknowledging and respecting the role that Indians, particularly Tamils, have played in building this country.

Worse still, the very thought of demolishing a Hindu temple to make way for a mosque is not just insensitive - it is deeply heartbreaking and unjust.

A place of worship is not just bricks and mortar; it is the soul of a community, a sacred space where generations have sought peace, strength, and connection to the divine. To erase it in favour of another is a painful act of disregard that shatters the faith and trust of an already marginalised community.

Religion is deeply sacred to every heart, and such actions do nothing but sow division and anguish. True harmony is built on respect, understanding, and coexistence - not the reckless erasure of another’s heritage and devotion.

The protection of historical and heritage sites must be prioritised over development projects that threaten to erase Malaysia’s unique multicultural history.

We call on the government and all relevant authorities to immediately put a stop to this unjust plan and recognise the irreplaceable cultural, historical, and religious significance of the Dewi Sri Pathrakaliamman Temple.

The Indian community will not stand by and allow its history and heritage to be erased. - Mkini

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WAYTHA MOORTHY PONNUSAMY is president of the Malaysian Advancement Party (MAP), a former minister in the Prime Minister’s Department in charge of national unity and social wellbeing, and a former key leader of the Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf).

The views expressed here are those of the author/contributor and do not necessarily represent the views of MMKtT.