Pre-Merdeka church grateful to Najib for 30-year land lease extension

The St Thomas Mar Thoma church – a 70-year-old Protestant church – is grateful to Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak and his administration for helping to renew its land lease recently, thus giving its local congregation of 430 families the privilege to maintain their current premises for the next 30 years.

The church’s priest, Reverend Philip Simon, was all smiles after a meeting with Prime Minister Najib at the Putra World Trade Centre today, calling it “a beneficial and generous meeting”.

“We have been here for over seven decades and the government was so gracious to us (by) protecting us in our welfare and we are extremely grateful,’ the reverend told reporters.

“The PM was very kind to us in our bid. (For) the present church land, the government has given (a) long lease,” Philip added.

According to the reverend and church committee members, the St Thomas Mar Thoma church premises encompasses half an acre of land along Jalan St Thomas (which adjoins Jalan Ipoh in Kuala Lumpur) since 1947.

The lease for the land expires every 30 years.

“Every time it is expiring, the government graciously helps us,” Philip said.

The reverend also added that the long lease granted will allow his church congregation to confidently contribute their time and resources towards the church’s growth at its current location.

“This community has been looking forward to having a permanent place to worship.

“It’s a very green and beautiful place with lots of trees and a very good neighbourhood. (There is) no better place,” the reverend said.

When asked about the church’s origins, Philip said the church was founded in 1852 in Jerusalem and presently has congregations all over the world.

The meeting with the prime minister took place after the National Labour Day celebrations.

And indeed, it was a day of celebration for all working people, including those in service to the all-knowing, all-powerful. -Mkini