A group of Muslim residents from Taman Medan, Petaling Jaya, has raised discontentment over the “unexpected approval” of a Hindu temple construction project in their housing area.
This, Taman Medan action committee member Mohd Faizal Syed Ariff said, was because the Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) had agreed not to approve the project last year after objections from the residents.
Speaking to the press in front of the construction site yesterday, Faizal questioned the council for approving the development without consulting and discussing the residents.
He then divulged that the residents, along with representatives from the Muslim Consumers’ Association Malaysia (PPIM), have set a meeting with Selangor Menteri Besar Amirudin Shari’s political secretary this coming Wednesday (Nov 1) to discuss the matter.
The 44-year-old businessperson then explained the chronology of the residents’ predicament.
“It first started on April 28, 2022, when we received a notice of the construction of the temple from the council. We were given seven days until May 4, 2022, to object.
“We missed the objection period as it was a few days before the Hari Raya celebration and most of us have already travelled back to our respective kampungs to celebrate.
“But we lodged a complaint to the council and after much argument, the council agreed not to approve the construction of the temple.
“But at the beginning of this week, we received a letter through a viral message that stated that the project has been approved for construction,” he said.
Also present to express their objections were six other residents as well as PPIM special communications officer Gulab Jan Fazal Eladi and NGO Kemanusiaan Rakyat Malaysia representative Muhammad Faris Faisal Abdul Razak.
Another temple just 100m away
Further, Faizal explained that the residents do not have an issue with the erection of the temple but are deeply concerned about its location and the safety of the people.
He bemoaned that the temple, which will be built at the main access route to Taman Medan, will cause an inconvenience to the residents.
“There is already a temple on the opposite side of this road, about 100m away from the new temple site... it’s been there for over 20 years. Why is there a need for another temple to be built along this road?” he questioned.
“Now, even before the new temple is built, there is so much traffic during peak hours. With the new temple, the congestion would worsen and the rate of accidents would increase.”
He also questioned the need to develop “so many temples” in the area when non-Muslims only comprise five percent of the Taman Medan population.
“A total of 95 percent of the residents here are Muslims and we only have two mosques.
“When there is a celebration and both the temples organise their respective events, I foresee that the main road will be closed.
“Where is our road then? This road is the only access to Taman Medan.”
Meanwhile, Gulab Jan expressed hope that Amirudin will show concern towards this issue.
“The council should actually do their research first and not give their approval just like that. 95 percent of the residents here are Muslims,” she said. - Mkini
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