SHAH ALAM: The controversial decision to relocate a Hindu temple from Section 19 to Section 23 has been temporarily shelved after an emotionally-charged meeting with residents turned rowdy.
The Selangor Government will continue to search for suitable sites agreeable to all, said Selangor Mentri Besar Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim.
“We have already asked Selangor State Development Corporation (PKNS) together with the Member of Parliament, state assemblyman and city council to identify another location,” he said at a press conference after a dialogue with the Section 23 residents at Wisma MBSA Saturday morning.
The dialogue was attended by some 300 Section 23 residents and Shah Alam City Council enforcement officers.
Others present were Shah Alam MP Khalid Samad; state executive committee member and Batu Tiga state assemblyman Rodziah Ismail and Shah Alam mayor Mazalan Md Noor.
The dialogue was intended to clear doubts and explain to the residents the proposed relocation of the Hindu temple.
However, the situation turned tense when some of the participants became disruptive.
Asked whether he was disappointed, Khalid said although the chaos was a real test on one’s patience, he understood their mood at the time.
“We know that anything to do with religion is sensitive and should be handled with care. We are not going to sweep it under the carpet.
“Instead, we will be open and take an affirmative action to solve the long-standing issue,” he said.
Khalid said the residents had raised some good points to be taken into consideration.
For example, it was suggested that the state government consider using a nearby piece of land (also in Section 23) belonging to a factory as a possible site for the temple.
Although the land was near the proposed site in Section 23, it was located further away from the residential area.
Khalid urged Section 23 residents to stop discussing the issue.
He said it was the state’s responsibility to look for a site that was agreeable to all parties involved.
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