By M.Vivekanananthan
DESPITE facing numerous initial setbacks, the controversy surrounding the Devi Shri Pathrakaliamman temple in Jalan Masjid India, Kuala Lumpur was resolved amicably to everyone’s satisfaction.
However, the question remains – If MIC had not intervened, would the temple have found a smooth and quick resolution?
Kuala Lumpur City Hall agreed to relocate the temple to a new location located approximately 50 metres from its current site along Jalan Munshi Abdullah, off Jalan Masjid India.
MIC Deputy President Datuk Seri M Saravanan, who took constructive steps to resolve the issue said, the 4,000 square feet plot of land will be gazetted for the temple on a permanent basis under the temple's name.
Nevertheless, discussions regarding the process and fairness of the resolution are still ongoing.
The decision was made in a free and fair manner.
The temple committee was not pressured into accepting the resolution settlement and the unity government is committed to ensuring the harmony enjoyed by multiracial and multireligious Malaysia is always preserved.
The Federal Territories Minister Dr. Zaliha Mustafa, and the Datuk Bandar (Mayor) of Kuala Lumpur played significant roles in facilitating the resolution of the Pathrakaliamman temple issue.
We thank everyone who played a role in finding a middle ground to the issue.
The temple is said to have been built in 1893, decades before DBKL and its predecessor agency were established.
Saravanan, who is also the Tapah member of parliament who spoke at the press conference last Sunday clarified that the lack of inaccurate information had led Muslims to believe that the temple was illegally built.
In fact, any new place of worship must comply with existing guidelines and regulations to ensure harmony and public order.
The Malaysia Hindu Sangam, the representative body for Hindus in Malaysia must play the role of overseeing temple registrations, land matters, and resolution of disputes.
Since the issue has now reached a good ending, it is best for everyone to move forward as a united nation and put all differences aside.
It is disheartening to read that there are some quarters still trying to incite racial tensions and create disharmony.
Multiracialism and multiculturalism have been the cornerstones of this country, and we must all play our roles to safeguard this and move forward as one. – ENDS
M.Vivekanananthan is an ex-government servant who has served various ministries and government agencies for over 30 years
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