Hindu Sangam urges removal of shrine at apartment’s staircase landing

 The umbrella body for Hindus in Malaysia says that apart from posing safety risks during emergencies, the shrine could lead to conflicts with neighbours.

A post on the social media platform Threads showed a Hindu shrine at a staircase landing of an apartment block, purportedly in Puchong. (Threads pic)

PETALING JAYA:

 Malaysia Hindu Sangam (MHS) has advised the devotee who placed a Hindu shrine at the staircase landing of an apartment block to remove it, stating that such structures should be located within private property.

A post on the social media platform Threads showing the shrine at the apartment block, purportedly in Puchong, has been widely circulated, with netizens urging the devotee not to place such structures in shared spaces as they block accessibility.

MHS vice-president RS Mohan Shan told FMT that apart from endangering residents by obstructing emergency evacuation routes, the shrine could also lead to conflicts with neighbours – especially if anyone removes or tampers with it.

“We do not encourage placing a shrine at a staircase landing,” he said.

“It is fine to have a shrine inside your own housing compound … That is common practice. But it is not appropriate for Hindus to place a shrine in such public spaces.

“People might smoke near the shrine, leaving ash or cigarette residue. Others may spit nearby. From Hindu Sangam’s perspective, it should be removed immediately.”

Subang Jaya City Council (MBSJ) Zone 16 councillor Lee Jen Uyin told FMT the council was not aware of the structure as the property is a strata development managed by a management committee.

Lee said such committees are empowered by the Strata Management Act 2013 – which governs the use of common property in strata developments such as apartments and condominiums – to instruct residents to remove items placed in common areas.

She said the council will contact the management committee to obtain more information on the matter.

“Our guidelines are clear,” she said.

“Staircase landings and corridors in strata buildings are considered common areas, so no structures are permitted.” - FMT