Sakyamuni monastery to stay, court rules against eviction

KUALA LUMPUR – Occupants of the Sakyamuni Cave Monastery in Gunung Kanthan are staying put after a cement company failed in its bid to evict them, reported The Star.

The Ipoh High Court judicial commissioner Bhupindar Singh Gurcharan Singh Preet said the decision was made after reviewing the submissions by both parties in the courtroom today.

Meanwhile, Malim Nawar assemblyman Leong Cheok Keng, said the monastery has a long history in the area while its surroundings are home to animals and plants unique to Gunung Kanthan.

“A lot of work has been done for the case so we are happy with the result. The plaintiff can still make an appeal or make a civil case but we hope that they will leave the monastery alone,” he was quoted as saying.

Leong also represented the monastery. Also in court were monastery abbot Chiong Sai Tin and 20 monks.

Chiong was quoted as saying that they felt blessed as there were local and abroad devotees who came to show support today.

In July last year, Chiong filed an affidavit in court to fight the eviction notice as the monks had lived on the land with permission from Associated Pan Malayan Cement Bhd (APMC) since the 1990s and have been conducting their religious activities without any opposition.

“Following the plaintiff’s guarantee and permission, the monks built permanent structures from time to time to make their lives easier.

“Among the structures include shrine halls, which contain statues of Buddha, meditation facilities, and speech halls,” the affidavit read.

Chiong further contends that the plaintiff was aware of these structures and had even made visits without any objections.

On January 29, 2021, APMC filed an Order 89 action to evict residents on Lot No. 46497 at the Hulu Kinta subdistrict where the monastery is located.

The monastery said the temple is over a century old and hosts a one-of-a-kind golden Buddha statue only found at their temple. – The Vibes, October 4, 2022