Uma Devi Panchacharam’s dream home has over the past four years become a constant source of stress.
The mother of two now lives next to a house operating as an illegal temple, where constant noise, thick smoke from open burning and late-night prayer rituals have disrupted the once quiet neighbourhood.
Uma Devi, 51, an accountant, bought her semi-detached house at Jalan Awan Jawa 1 in Taman Yarl, Kuala Lumpur, in 2009.
For more than a decade, life unfolded peacefully but it changed in 2021 when new neighbours moved in next door.
“And that’s when people started coming and the open burning began,” she said.
Uma Devi claims that besides aggravating her respiratory issues, soot from the open burning next door often coats her freshly washed clothes. — Photos: ART CHEN/The Star
“Smoke from the constant burning of incense, joss sticks, and joss paper drifted through my windows.
“They are clearly running an illegal temple as there is a constant flow of visitors.
“Part of their rituals involves constant banging of gongs and bells at odd hours which keeps us up every night.”
Uma Devi has reached out to Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) and Kuala Lumpur Health Department many times.
Officers from both agencies visited her home and according to her, “were shocked when they saw the extent of what was happening next door”.
The open burning was so frequent that even her freshly washed clothes would be covered in black soot within hours.
Alvin hopes DBKL will act on the illegal temple issue promptly because it involves residents’ health and safety.
Her husband once took the soiled garments to the neighbours to show the impact, only to be brushed off with a casual “it won’t happen again”.
“The only way to live here now is to keep my windows permanently shut,” she said, adding that she has to wear a face mask indoors all the time.
Uma Devi also claimed that due to being allergic to smoke and soot, she now suffered from rhinitis, bronchitis and a persistent cough.
“Despite our complaints to the authorities and the neighbour, nothing has been done. The problem just continues as if we don’t exist.”
Another resident, Neil Naveen Kamalanathan, 49, said he too has been struggling with the ongoing problems caused by the illegal temple.
Neil Naveen says apart from noise and environmental pollution, he is dealing with a serious pest problem due to food left at altars.
“Every day there is food displayed on the outdoor altars and on the ground. This attracts rats, cockroaches and lizards. I have had to spend a lot of money getting a pest control company to treat my house,” he said.
Forty-eight-year-old Lee JA, whose rear porch faces the premises, said she spent thousands of ringgit to seal her wet kitchen to keep out the smoke.
“I’ve placed a fan that runs day and night to blow the smoke away, causing my electricity bill to shoot up. The soot is also damaging my air conditioning units.
“When they first moved in, I suspected they were running an illegal temple but they denied it and claimed it was just their home.
Prayer tables and offerings set up in the porch of the property in Taman Yarl.
“I have lodged reports with DBKL but until today, no action has been taken. This has been very hard on my family, especially my children who can no longer play outside,” she said.
Seputeh People’s Representa-tive Council (MPPWP) Zone 6 chairman Alvin T. Ariaratnam, whose jurisdiction covers Taman Yarl, said he visited the house to investigate.
“I spoke to the owner and they denied running a temple. They claimed they conduct prayers once a year and that the neighbours were being unfair to them. They said they don’t do open burning but only burn incense.
“But I have video proof that a temple is being operated in a residential property and that the premises is both a fire and health hazard,” he said.
Alvin added that DBKL’s Planning Department issued a letter to MPPWP Seputeh dated Jan 28, 2025, confirming the house had no planning approval for renovation, extension or temple-related structure.
The letter also stated that the property was strictly a residential unit and complaints about its use as a “mini tokong” and dormitory has been forwarded to DBKL’s Enforcement Department.
Residents were advised to follow up directly with enforcement officers for updates.
“We now have to wait for the authorities to take action. Since this has been happening since 2021, I hope DBKL won’t drag its feet because it involves people’s health and safety,” Alvin added.
StarMetro visited the house several times this week. The premises was shielded with white tarpaulin, preventing any view of the activities inside.
However, during a weekend visit, a steady stream of people was seen entering the house to pray.
Burning of joss sticks and incense was observed, along with the open burning of prayer paraphernalia.
At one point, a man drove in with a new car to receive blessings while a priest at the front of the house rang a bell and conducted rituals.
When contacted, a DBKL senior enforcement officer said City Hall was aware of the matter and would be taking action soon.
Uma Devi claims that besides aggravating her respiratory issues, soot from the open burning next door often coats her freshly washed clothes. — Photos: ART CHEN/The Star
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