A former minister and Hindu rights activist has provided a historical perspective to the controversy surrounding a century-old Hindu temple in Kuala Lumpur.
Malaysia Advancement Party (MAP) president P Waytha Moorthy said the assertion that thousands of Hindu temples demolished over the years were illegally constructed on private land is a “gross oversimplification that disregards historical truths”.
In a letter to Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, the former Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) chairperson traced the problem to the British colonial era, when there was no structured land allocation system akin to what exists today.
“The British resident-general, who acted as an adviser to the Selangor ruler, explicitly sanctioned the construction of Hindu temples to encourage the migration of Indian labourers, who played a pivotal role in developing Malaya’s plantation, railway, road, and infrastructure sectors.
“This historical context is crucial to understanding the legitimacy of these temples,” said Waytha.
Advocates for the Dewi Sri Pathrakaliamman temple have argued that the structure was moved to its current site under orders from DBKL, the original owner, who then sold the land to Jakel Trading Sdn Bhd, with plans to build a mosque.
DBKL and Jakel have since assured that there will be no demolition until the temple is relocated.
‘British govt failed to honour land promise’
Commenting further, Waytha, a lawyer, went on to cite official minutes from the Selangor Government Administration Reports of the late 1800s and early 1900s.
He described the documents as “indisputable evidence” that the British government acting under the authority of the rulers actively encouraged the construction of Hindu temples and the settlement of Indian labourers.
He said the labourers were assured that after two years of service, they would be granted ownership of at least five acres per family, with an additional acre for each male household member, but the promise was never honoured.
“Resulting in the tragic reality that the Malaysian Indian community remains one of the most landless ethnic groups in the world today,” claimed Waytha, who was arrested in 2007 with three other lawyers involved in representing Kampung Rimba Jaya villagers from Padang Jawa, near Shah Alam.
In the incident, over 200 houses, a 100-year-old temple, and a surau were levelled by authorities despite the presence of the then MIC president, the late S Samy Vellu.
In his letter to Anwar, Waytha said the current administration’s continued reliance on misinformation, legal technicalities, and false narratives to justify temple demolitions is not just an affront to the Hindu community but a betrayal of Malaysia’s founding principles of inclusivity and justice.
“This should not be tolerated in a nation that prides itself on its diverse heritage and commitment to justice.
“As a leader who has pledged to bring genuine reform, I urge you to demonstrate your commitment to fairness by addressing this long-standing issue with honesty and urgency,” he stressed.
“When every community feels valued and respected, it reduces tensions and promotes a shared sense of belonging.
“By upholding these principles, Malaysia can continue to thrive as a model of unity in diversity, where people of all backgrounds live together in peace and cooperation,” said Waytha, who served as national unity and social well-being minister during former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s second tenure in office.
Anwar yesterday urged all parties to stop playing up religious sentiments and allow negotiations to continue, and that he will still be launching the mosque next week.
Please join the Malays
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.