KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 18: In line with calls by the country’s leaders to follow the laws when constructing places of worship, several religious bodies and non governmental organisations have urged Hindu temple operators, without proper legal or land status, to get things in order for their existing temples to safeguard them and avoid demolition possibilities.
A Tamil Nesan TV report quoted Malaysia Hindu Sangam (MHS) Perak State Council chairman Pon Santhiran urging those taking care of temples in various parts of the state to ensure that they keep ready any documents available on their temples, whether they are currently occupying government or private land.
He urged them to take the necessary steps to meet with Perak Hindu Sangam (Union) or the relevant authorities to ensure proper status for their respective temples.
He said the Union would make the effort to help the affected temples and will also pass on relevant documents to Dato’ Sivanesan Achalingam, who is the state executive councillor for Human Resources, Health and National Integration and Perak Indian Affairs, and who has offered to find resolution for the affected temples.
“But the supporting documents must be there,” he reiterated during a press conference organised by the Union last Friday (Feb 13).
Apart from any documents, the operators of temples without proper land status were also urged to provide the history of their temple, registration of the temple, proof of any/number of applications made to the local authorities, as well as any rejection letters from the authorities while seeking proper land status.
Meanwhile, the head of Arulmighu Annai Samayapura Maha Mariamman temple in Tanjong Rambutan, Murugiah Subramaniam said there were a total of 34 temples in the area.
While some temples have the relevant land status, some do not. Some of those who had applied still have not received them and some have not even received any responses, he added.
–WE