The Malaysia Hindu Sangam (MHS) has called for the establishment of a dedicated regulatory body to manage the registration, land status, and dispute resolution of Hindu temples. The Hindu advisory group expressed its readiness to lead this initiative in partnership with the government, aiming to protect the rights and cultural heritage of the Hindu community.
In a statement yesterday, MHS emphasized that this regulatory body should engage with relevant authorities to legalize the status of Hindu temple lands, ensuring long-term security and protection for these places of worship. This proposal follows recent revelations about plans to demolish and relocate the 132-year-old Dewi Sri Pathrakaliamman Temple on Jalan Munshi Abdullah near Masjid India to make way for a mosque.
Lawyers representing the temple stated that Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) had instructed the temple, along with its original artifacts and relics, to relocate to its current site in 2008. Meanwhile, Batu MP P. Prabakaran revealed that the temple’s application in 2012 to convert the land title for use as a non-Muslim place of worship was rejected.
Reports indicate that the land was later purchased by Jakel Trading from DBKL in 2014, with plans to build a mosque on the site. However, the temple’s lawyers asserted that it was only in 2016—two years after the land was sold—that the temple was informed it was situated on privately owned property. Given the situation, the Malaysia Hindu Sangam (MHS) suggested that allowing the temple to remain at its current location alongside the proposed mosque would be the most suitable solution for all parties involved.
“This arrangement would serve as a testament to Malaysia’s commitment to peaceful coexistence in a diverse society,” MHS added.
The Malaysia Hindu Sangam (MHS) also dismissed claims circulating on social media that many Hindu temples in the country were operating illegally.
It explained that numerous Hindu temples were originally established with proper approval during the British colonial era. However, subsequent land sales and urban development after independence have left the status of some temples uncertain.
Source: Malay Mail
