DAP rep asks Khalid to intervene after DBKL rejects Hindu procession

DAP Batu Gajah MP V Sivakumar has called on Federal Territories Minister Khalid Abdul Samad to intervene in the Kuala Lumpur City Hall's denial of permission for the Panguni Uthiram procession.

"I request that Khalid take the issue seriously, and take the appropriate action to approve the procession by the Sri Thandayuthapani temple in Sentul immediately," Sivakumar said in a statement today.

Yesterday, Pusat Aduan Rakyat president A Chandrakumanan said he was baffled by DBKL's decision, as the procession was in conjunction with Panguni Uthiram. 

The Sri Thandayuthapani temple has been organising the Hindu holy day celebrations since 1899.

In his statement, Sivakumar warned failure to act promptly could tarnish the Pakatan Harapan government's reputation.

"It could also negatively impact the Rantau by-election which will take place soon," he said.

The state constituency of Rantau has the eighth most Indian voters of the 505 state seats in the country. Voters go to the polls on April 13.

DBKL, in a letter dated March 5, said it could not consider the temple's application. It did not provide any reason for the decision.

However, the letter said an appeal could be made to the Kuala Lumpur mayor's office. - Mkini