Teng (centre) being briefed by MPAJ Urban Planning Department director Zuraina Said (left) during a visit to the proposed crematorium site in Jalan Kolam Air Lama, Ampang Jaya.
THE Selangor special committee for Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Sikhism and Taoism (Limas) will look into concerns over a proposed crematorium project in Ampang Jaya, Selangor.
This follows objections by stakeholders who claim that the Ampang Jaya Municipal Council (MPAJ) project in Jalan Kolam Air Lama, off Jalan Kerja Ayer Lama, is not suitable at the particular location and can adversely affect operations at two burial grounds there.
The proposed site for the crematorium on the grounds of the Ampang/Ulu Klang Hindu and Chinese cemeteries has received objection from the associations managing the burial grounds.
Selangor industry and trade committee chairman Datuk Teng Chang Khim, who co-chairs the special committee, said Limas would only provide input on two matters of concern.
“The first will be to determine if the proposed crematorium activities are compatible with the land use of the existing cemeteries.
“We will also be looking into claims that a Chinese tokong (shrine) here is more than 100 years old and if its heritage value needs to be considered,” he told StarMetro after a visit to the site yesterday.
It was previously reported that the shrine would be relocated if the proposed plan went through.
Teng also said that MPAJ would handle matters pertaining to the crematorium’s overall planning and development.
“If MPAJ for any reason hesitates to make a decision on the project, then it can raise the matter to the state for advice,” he added.
Teng’s portfolio under Limas is overseeing the Buddhist and Taoist groups, while his colleagues V. Ganabatirau and Hee Loy Sian manage the Hindu and Sikh communities, and Christian portfolio respectively.
Also present at the site visit were representatives from the Ampang/Ulu Klang Chinese Cemetery Association, Hindu Cemetery Crematorium Ampang Association as well as MPAJ officers.
Hindu cemetery association adviser Balagurunathan Sambasivam urged MPAJ to reconsider the crematorium’s location.
“MPAJ initially proposed a site in Bukit Antarabangsa for the crematorium, but it was relocated to Jalan Kolam Air Lama after residents there protested,” he said.
Both associations had also previously voiced concerns on the lack of space for a crematorium as well as parking issues.
