Grave relocations to be done after Chinese New Year

JOHOR BARU: The relocation of 3,400 graves to make way for the Pengerang Integrated Petroleum Complex will only take place after Chinese New Year, said Johor Mentri Besar Datuk Mohamed Khaled Nordin.

He gave the assurance following concerns expressed by the Chinese community in Pengerang about taboos in “disturbing” the graves during Chinese New Year.

Johor, he said, was sensitive towards the people’s beliefs and would start moving the graves only after the celebrations were over.

It was reported on Jan 15 that six Chinese cemeteries would be closed and the graves would be relocated to Bukit Gelugor, about 10km away from Sungai Rengit town.

Subsequently, the community in Pengerang wanted the relocation to take place only after Chinese New Year and Qing Ming (Chinese All Souls’ Day or Tomb Sweeping Day).

Pengerang Chinese Cemetery Association secretary Chong Chun Yet said it was better to avoid such activities for fear of attracting bad spirits that could bring misfortune.

Mohamed Khaled, however, said that it was up to the Kota Tinggi district office to decide if they wanted to wait until Qing Ming, which falls in April.

“Not everyone is against the relocation and those who have issues with it should forward their concerns to the district officer.

“We have also noted how some parties are deliberately using all sorts of excuses to stall the shifting of the graves as they are just personally against the idea,” he said after attending the Thaipusam celebrations at the Sri Subramaniar Temple in Masai here yesterday.

He said the latest relocation exercise would be the second to be conducted by the state.

“The first grave relocation involved 1,467 Muslim graves, which were moved to the new burial grounds in Kampung Pungai last year,” he added.