Upset over illegally built temple

This structure, which residents believe is a temple, was built on residential land. The owner has also flattened the land beside it for a carpark. — FAIHAN GHANI/The Star

RESIDENTS of Taman Petaling Indah in Klang are up in arms over a temple built on land gazetted for residential use and want its operations to stop immediately.

During construction of the now completed single-storey building along Lebuh Bagor, which measures about 511sq m, residents were told that it was supposed to be a single-storey bungalow home.

This information was not only stated on the signboard put up during the construction period but also confirmed by the landowner during a meeting between the owner, residents and Klang Municipal Council (MPK).

“We even have it in writing from MPK that the construction is to be a one-storey residential bungalow but the structure did not look anything like it as the ceiling is as high as a double-storey house,” said resident Datuk Mohandass S. Nair.

He added that many extensions were put in place, clearly violating the building regulations set by MPK.

“Now it is very obvious that it is a temple, with a big urn placed in the middle of the porch.

“Even the land beside the temple has been levelled with crusher run for devotees to use as a carpark,” he said.

The owner recently sought support from residents by going door to door to get signatures saying that they accept the temple operating there.

Mohandass said there was no need for a temple to be built there because it did not serve any of the residents in the vicinity.

Fellow resident WY Lim, who lives right across the development, said there would be an average of 10 cars or more parked in the vicinity daily between 6pm and 9pm.

“So far, they are keeping their operations quite low profile.

“They have not caused any noise or disturbances but there are many cars coming into the neighbourhood daily,” he said.

He added that MPK came to check on the premises and also issued a stop-work order for the carpark lot beside the building.

Fellow resident Datuk R.S. Maniam hoped that stern action would be taken by MPK immediately.

“We do not want this temple to be used as a precedent for other future developments to be constructed in this area.

“As it is, we already stopped the proposed construction of an orphanage, which was to be built behind the temple’s carpark area, and we also stopped another application for an elderly care home in house number 63,” he said.

According to residents, there are 12 lots of various sizes zoned as residential land along Lebuh Bagor, opposite their homes.

Formerly owned by a developer, the lots were sold as individual lots and the owners are free to build residential homes there.

The land was left vacant for over 30 years, ever since the neighbourhood was built and only recently saw construction taking place, starting with the temple.

“MPK should act against the owner because it clearly violates the law,” added Maniam.

When contacted, Klang MP Charles Santiago urged MPK to act quickly as residents raised this issue in October last year and nothing much had been done.

“MPK should follow the rule of law and take action to stop this,” he said.

He added that it was within MPK’s powers to shut down operations, take legal action or even demolish if necessary.

Santiago also pointed out that there were many of such cases in Klang, where places of worship are built and operating on residential land, causing uneasiness among residents with the influx of people entering their area.

MPK councillor M. Nalan said officers at the building department were following the issue closely and would call for a technical meeting chaired by the deputy president soon to discuss the issue.

“The officer said they would decide whether to take legal action against the landowner or bring this matter to the state,” he said.

To-date, two warning letters have been sent to the landowner, with the second one ordering the owner to cease operations.

MPK will continue monitoring the situation and once investigation papers are filed, it will be up to the court to decide on the matter.- Star