In what is a small victory for the efforts of Hindu NGO’s including Malaysia Hindu Dharma Mamandram as well as the displeasure shown by the Indian community in the General Elections, the Federal Territories Minsitry has implemented a new policy whereby Hindu temples will not be demolished. If a need arises, Hindu temples will instead be relocated to a better location.
from New Straits Times
Guarantee not to demolish Hindu temples
KUALA LUMPUR (Thursday, July 10, 2008): Under a new policy by the Federal Territories Ministry, Hindu temples will not be demolished, said Deputy Federal Territories minister Datuk M. Saravanan. Instead, they will be relocated.
“We will offer an alternative piece of land to relocate temples affected by development,” he said while winding-up points raised by MPs during the debate on the mid-term review of the Ninth Malaysia Plan.
Charles Santiago (DAP-Klang) had earlier asked the stand and policy of the ministry regarding the demolition of Hindu temples.
As an example, Saravanan said, there was an area in the Klang Valley with eight temples located in a small lane, which were affected by development work.
“We gave them a piece of land to relocate and it is up to the temples’ authorities whether to build a large temple or maintain the eight at the new site,” he said.
However, he stressed that while the ministry guaranteed that no temples will be demolished by City Hall under the new policy, it does not encourage any new temples being set up either.