Saravanan to enquire into Setapak temple demolition

Federal Territories and Urban Wellbeing deputy minister M Saravanan finally confirmed he will be looking into DBKL's sudden demolition of the Perianna Muneswarar Hindu temple in Air Panas, Setapak, Kuala Lumpur.

When contacted, Saravanan (right in photo) toldMalaysiakini, “I will be talking to the Kuala Lumpur City Council (DBKL) officials regarding the matter tomorrow and update further.”

On June 24, DBKL workers razed the 50-year-old temple in less than 20 minutes, despite temple caretaker Kasiamma Perumal producing a letter issued by Saravanan.

The 55-year-old claimed that DBKL officers dismissed the letter, saying that it held no weight.

Temple spokesperson Jeevamalar Ramasamy says they are still awaiting a response from Saravanan and the DBKL officials.

“We are liaising with the deputy minister and our next move will depend on him,” she said.

“There is something fishy going on here, as even the mayor was not aware of the matter,” she added, citing a report in The Star today.

DBKL informed MIC

Kuala Lumpur mayor Ahmad Fuad Ismail admitted that he was not aware of the demolition, but will enquire from his staff.

He added that while people should not build temples just anywhere, the older ones in the city should be respected.

DBKL had on June 25 justified their actions saying the “inactive” temple was bulldozed as the land had been earmarked for a neighborhood development project.

They also said four notices were issued and dialogue sessions were held with the Setiawangsa MIC branch, before proceeding.

courtesy of Malaysiakini