Plenty of room for a mosque, don't evict us, says century-old KL Hindu temple amid demolition denials

The management of a 130-year-old temple in the heart of Kuala Lumpur says there were several attempts by the government and a private company to force a relocation with threats of action if it did not comply.

Raj Mohan Pillai, deputy president of the Dewi Sri Pathrakaliamman Temple in Jalan Masjid India, expressed shock at news of a groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of a mosque on the government land, which was sold to textile company Jakel Trading by Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL).

"We fail to understand how a groundbreaking ceremony can be held when talks on the status of the temple have yet to reach a conclusion," Raj said in a press conference attended by activists and rights lawyers in Petaling Jaya today.

Yesterday, MalaysiaNow revealed plans for the construction of a "Madani Mosque", inspired by Pakatan Harapan's political slogan which has been actively promoted by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.

MalaysiaNow also reported that Anwar himself would attend the groundbreaking ceremony at the end of the month.

The move has been seen as part of his efforts to rally the support of the Malays, who have largely rejected his administration throughout its two years in power.

In a press conference this morning, Jakel confirmed the groundbreaking ceremony and its plans for a mosque but said its construction would not begin immediately.  

It also denied that the temple would be torn down, saying it would only be moved to another location.

Jakel CEO Syed Nasrul Fahmi Syed Muhamad said discussions with the temple and DBKL were progressing in a "harmonious manner without any pressure".

DBKL meanwhile gave its commitment not to demolish the temple.

Last year, however, it served the temple with a notice giving it 14 days to vacate the site or face "the necessary enforcement action", saying it would not bear any losses that might arise.

MalaysiaNow has sighted a copy of the notice.

'Mosque could co-exist'

At the press conference today, Lawyers for Liberty's (LFL) Zaid Malek said the proposed mosque could be built without forcing the temple to relocate.

He said there were two lots on the land in question, one owned by the private company and the other by the government.

"It's an easy solution," he said at the media conference also attended by lawyers N Surendran and Ambiga Sreenevasan.

"There is no need to tear down the temple. The adjoining lot is big enough to build the mosque."

Raj meanwhile said that the temple had no issue with a mosque being built next to it.

"There is actually no need to demolish the temple," he said.

"There is a plot of land next to it where the mosque can be built. We welcome the construction of the mosque there, where it will reflect the spirit of mutual respect and tolerance among Malaysians."

Zaid said the government should realise the sensitivities involved in building a mosque on a site that was vacated through the relocation of another house of worship.

He also said that the government should recognise the historical value of the temple in question.

Raj said the temple had functioned as a cultural hub where classes for traditional dances and music as well as yoga were held every week.

"If this temple is forced to relocate or torn down, it will erase the diversity of the Masjid India area," he said.

He said that the alternative plot of land offered was half the size of the current lot, and too far from the Masjid India area.

"It is very unfair to us. A big part of the Indian community in Masjid India come to the temple to visit and worship," he said.

DBKL's narrative questioned

The Dewi Sri Pathrakaliamman Temple was originally constructed in 1893. In 2008, it was ordered to relocate to the current lot, which was sold to Jakel in 2014.

Raj said the sale was made without consulting the temple committee.

"Since 2016, there have been efforts by the government and the private company involved to force the temple to move from this location," he said.

Meanwhile, Surendran questioned the claim by DBKL that it had nothing to do with the proposal for the mosque.

"In fact, DBKL is the one that gave the development order on Feb 12, 2020," he said.

"It is aware of the proposed construction."

He added that the land had been turned into private land because of the government's own actions.

"We cannot have a narrative that says this is private land and therefore it must leave. This is not a commercial property. This is a temple, a cultural centre. The government must resolve this matter because they are the one who sold the land."

Surendran, a former PKR vice-president and LFL's adviser, also reminded Anwar of how he had defended the fate of another temple in Jalan Raja Chulan.

"I hope he will remember that spirit."