Selangor Menteri Besar Amirudin Shari today reassured that necessary approvals would be given for the Batu Caves temple committee to build a new multi-purpose hall within its compound.
Addressing thousands of devotees and visitors to the annual Thaipusam celebrations in Batu Cave today, Amiruddin said he has no problems to facilitate the approvals, so long as all regulations have been fulfilled.
"I give my assurance to the temple management committee.
"If all the documents that they submitted are in order, I have no problems to facilitate the approvals," said the Sungai Tua assemblyperson.
"It is my responsibility as a state leader to ensure that people from all faiths will have safe and comfortable places of worship.
"It is my promise and I will deliver," he stressed.
On a larger scale, Amirudin reiterated the state government's commitment to uphold freedom of religion, including gazetting 500 sites for houses of worship built without prior approval.
Batu Caves Sri Mahamariamman Temple Devasthanam committee chairperson R Nadarajah earlier appealed for the state government's approvals to construct the new hall, as well as to legalise various structures which had already been built over the years.
"Now that is illegal, that is illegal, nothing has been approved," Nadarajah lamented, as he pointed towards various buildings and shops around the temple complex.
As for the new multi-purpose hall, Nadarajah claimed that the temple committee had submitted its application to Selayang City Council seven years ago and raised its own funds, but has since been unable to proceed with construction as no approvals were given.
When met by reporters, Amirudin reiterated that there will be no restrictions on approvals for the new Batu Caves temple hall, so long as the temple committee has complied with all existing rules.
On Nadarajah's requests for approvals of around 20 existing structures in and around the temple, Amirudin said a check by relevant authorities would first be necessary to ensure their safety.
"If we are truly strict we can sue all this (illegal structures) but we do not take actions and still allow it," he added.
Meanwhile, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department P Waythamoorthy noted how the large-scale annual Thaipusam celebrations is a sign of freedom of religion in Malaysia.
"All religions are given space to perform their religious duty to God without any hatred," said Waythamoorthy who is in charge of national unity and social wellbeing.
He later told reporters that the 500 sites gazetted by the Selangor government include areas where there are existing houses of worships built without approval, while others are new sites to relocate structures deemed to be at an unsuitable location.
Thousands of Hindu devotees and visitors thronged the Batu Caves temple since last night to take part in the annual rituals to honour Lord Murugan, the Hindu god of courage, wealth and wisdom.
According to Hindu mythology, Thaipusam is celebrated to acknowledge Lord Murugan’s triumph over the evil forces.
For one week since last Wednesday, it is understood that there has been heightened security measures around the temple grounds, with up to 800 uniformed and plainclothes police personnel stationed round the clock. - Mkini
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