’101-year-old temple will not be demolished’

Federal Territories minister says the temple walls will be re-built once the construction of the commercial building behind the temple is completed.

KUALA LUMPUR: The Federal Territories Ministry announced today that the 101-year-old Sri Muneswarar Kaliamman Hindu temple in the central business district at Jalan P. Ramlee will not be demolished for development.

Its minister Tengku Adnan Tengu Mansor said only about 2.4m of land had been taken with work started at the back of the temple where once the construction of the commecial building at the back of the temple is completed, the temple walls would be restored.

Earlier today at a press conference, two PKR MPs had called for the government to restore the allegedly desecrated Hindu idols in its original position and retain the 2,438m plot of land meant for the temple, failing which they would lodge a report with the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC).

“Why is the government giving valuable land to Hap Seng and why is Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) leading the demolition? I want to know who is being paid off for this. It warrants full public inquiry. I can find no other reason,” Sivarasa asked.

Demolition was supposed to be carried out in June but was averted when PPP Kuala Lumpur chief A Chandrakumanan produced a letter signed by Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak to postpone the works.

Developer Hap Seng wanted to demolish part of the temple to build a walkway.

Sivarasa also told the press that yesterday’s partial demolition caused the temple to lose 914 sq m of land, which was in violation of the High Court judgment in a case against Hap Seng and DBKL for wanting to demolish part of the temple on May 5, last year.

“Judge VT Singham in his judgment last year disallowed the initial application for demolition works and only allowed Hap Seng to pass through the temple area. The temple committee brought the case to the court in May this year and it upheld the previous judgment, which barred Hap Seng or DBKL from evicting or demolishing the temple,” he said.

Meanwhile, Surendran alleged that the federal government, Tengku Adnan and DBKL had desecrated the Hindu idols and insulting the religion.

“If the developer wants the land, why is DBKL all out to pull down the temple? Their action is an insult to Hindus and Hinduism. It is an offence under section 295 of the Penal Code,” he said.
Surendran added that it is an insult to Hinduism because there is a need to perform certain rituals before an idol can be moved.

Surendran also said statements made by Tengku Adnan, Dang Wangi police chief ACP Zainuddin Ahmad and MIC president G Palanivel were “blatant lies.”

Dang Wangi police chief ACP Zainuddin Ahmad yesterday said the Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) carrying out the repair work would return the idols to their respective places once work is completed while Palanivel claimed that it was the business stalls that were being torn down whereas Tengku Adnan earlier today maintained that it was the canteen and not the temple.

Sivarasa, however, refuted Adnan’s claim saying that there was only a canteen from 1999 to 2009.

Ten including PKR human rights bureau deputy chief S Jayathas, MIC Youth chief T Mohan and several others were arrested yesterday for protesting against the demolition and was later released.

Sivarasa and Surendran are also the lawyers representing the temple committee.

Meanwhile, the minister also urged the parties concerned not to politicise the issue.