KUALA LUMPUR: Questions over the legality of Dewi Sri Pathrakaliamman temple near Jalan Masjid India is due to misinformation, says MIC deputy president Datuk Seri M Saravanan.
He said the temple has been at the location for 130 years.
“It has never been moved or relocated.
"If the temple is on illegal land, then how does it have water supply and electricity?" he asked.
Saravanan said misinformation about the status of the temple premises has caused confusion and displeasure among various parties.
He said that he is aware of the status of the temple land as he had previously served as deputy Federal Territories minister.
He explained that the temple was only asked to remove a small portion at the back of the premises to facilitate road widening works in 2006.
“It was not a relocation as some quarters portrayed it to be,” he clarified again.
Saravanan said that he and other former MIC leaders, including the late Tun Samy Vellu, had corresponded and held numerous discussions with City Hall on the status of the temple prior to the land being acquired by Jakel Trading Sdn Bhd in 2014.
He expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and other government leaders for ensuring that the temple would not be demolished.
It was reported on Thursday (March 20) that discussions on the relocation of the Dewi Sri Pathrakaliamman Temple, which is situated on land owned by Jakel Group, were progressing harmoniously between the company, the temple management and the Kuala Lumpur City Hall.
Mayor Datuk Seri Dr Maimunah Mohd Sharif was quoted as saying that City Hall is acting as a facilitator to ensure that the relocation process from private land to a new site is handled smoothly.
The Prime Minister had said that parties involved in the relocation of the Dewi Sri Pathrakaliamman Temple on Jalan Masjid India, Kuala Lumpur, are in discussions to find the best way to resolve the matter amicably.
