Construction next to temple is to build additional classrooms for nearby schools

KUALA LUMPUR: The construction of a lane next to a temple in Salak Selatan is to provide an access route for vehicles involved in upgrade works for two nearby schools.

Deputy Federal Territories Minister Datuk Seri Jalaluddin Alias said the Putrajaya Land and Mines Office had issued a notice on May 6, to vacate the surrounding area.

He said this was to make way for the project to build additional classrooms at the SJKC Tai Thung and SMK Jalan Sungai Besi.

"Claims on social media that the authorities are planning to demolish the temple are not true.

"They are actually building a hoarding at the lane to ensure a safer passage for vehicles involved in the construction and passers-by in the area," he said when met on Wednesday (Sept 29).

A video circulated on social media on Tuesday (Sept 28), showing a group of people throwing objects at police, who were trying to disperse the protesters.

Police said the protesters were upset over the building of a lane on government-owned land near the temple.

The incident led to the arrest of four people, aged 19 to 50, after a scuffle with the authorities.

Jalaluddin said he viewed the attempts by certain parties to manipulate the issue, which could threaten social harmony.

He stressed that issues pertaining to religion and houses of worship must be handled with care.

"Whatever disagreements we may have, can be solved through dialogues and negotiations," he added.

The minister was met after a ceremony to give a RM10,000 allocation for the How Lim Kong temple in Segambut.

He also gave food aid to 20 recipients comprising the needy, single mothers and elderly.

Also present were Segambut MCA chief Datuk Daniel Ling Sia Chin, Segambut MIC chief Datuk Sivakumar Nadraja and the temple chairman Tan Chin Hup.