“UNACCEPTABLE” TO MOVE A SIGNIFICANT HERITAGE SITE
The Malaysia Hindu Sangam (MHS), which represents the country’s two million Hindu population, had said that maintaining the temple at its current location, alongside the proposed mosque, would be the best arrangement for all parties.
“Such an arrangement would demonstrate to the world Malaysia’s commitment to coexistence amidst diversity,” it said in a statement on Monday, as quoted by Malay Mail.
The Hindu advisory group also refuted allegations that many Hindu temples in Malaysia have been operating illegally, proposing a special body to address land issues linked to temples across Malaysia.
MHS said that it is prepared to lead the initiative with the government to safeguard the rights and heritage of the Hindu community, Malay Mail reported.
According to MHS, many Hindu temples were built with the necessary approval during the British colonial era but land sales and urban development after independence had rendered the status of some temples ambiguous.
South China Morning Post reported that a legislature debate in Selangor – the state with the largest Malaysian Indian population – revealed that at least 773 temples were operating without formal approval or clear land ownership.
Lawyers for Liberty executive director Zaid Malek had also questioned the rush for the groundbreaking ceremony to be held.
“There is an easy solution, there is no need for the temple to be demolished, there is a site next to the temple that is large enough to build a mosque. If the site is not enough, there is even space nearby for expansion,” he said at a press conference, in a video posted by Malaysiakini on Mar 22.
Penang’s former deputy chief minister Palanisamy Ramasamy said that it is “unacceptable” for such a significant heritage site to be forcibly moved for a new development.
“The issue is not just about relocation – it is about historical preservation, religious rights and responsible governance,” he was quoted as saying by FMT on Mar 20.
In a statement, the former Democratic Action Party member and current chairman of the United for the Rights of Malaysians Party had questioned why DBKL had approved the proposal to construct a mosque on the same site where the temple is located.
“How did DBKL approve a mosque project on the very land where the temple stands?,” he added.
“This is not just about one temple – it is about setting a precedent for how heritage and religious rights are treated in Malaysia. Hindu temples are not placed on wheels to be moved at the whims of the powerful.”
In a Facebook post on Tuesday, well-known Muslim preacher Firdaus Wong claimed that the temple not only received a 4,000 sq ft plot of land for free, but also RM2 million (US$451,000) in “compensation”.
Zaliha – the federal territories minister – refuted the statement.
“The government has never promised or approved any form of compensation for the temple. No agreement or deal was made beyond the solution I announced …” she was quoted as saying by FMT on Wednesday.
https://www.channelnewsasia.com/asia/malaysia-hindu-temple-madani-mosque-anwar-ibrahim-race-religion-5027441
