Temples to make way for project

FOUR of the seven Hindu temples along Jalan S.P. Chelliah and Kampung Jawa Baru in George Town, Penang, will be demo-lished and rebuilt to make way for a state affordable housing project.

Some 30 committee members representing the temples have agreed to the move, which will see the four temples being rebuilt a few metres away from both the locations.

The remaining three Hindu temples will not have to make way.

Developer Zubicon Sdn Bhd’s managing director Lim Beng Keong, who was present during a briefing for the committee members at the Sri Raja Mariamman Temple in Kampung Jawa Baru yesterday, said the cost of the demolition and rebuilding of the temples would be borne by the state government.

Also present was architect Datuk Richard Jong from the East Design Architect Sdn Bhd.

Jong said the demolition work would begin middle of next year and the new temples are expected to be completed in six months’ time.

Penang Deputy Chief Minister II Dr P. Ramasamy, who was present, said the land on which the temples would be rebuilt would belong to the respective temples.

Also present were state Housing, Town and Country Planning Com-mittee chairman Jagdeep Singh Deo and Komtar assemblyman Teh Lai Heng.

Zubicon Sdn Bhd has been awarded the tender to build 1,900 units of affordable housing in Jalan S.P. Chelliah.