MPAJ did not inform state gov before demolishing temple
Dr A. Xavier Jayakumarare, member of the Selangor state executive council, has said that the Sri Maha Kaliamman temple that was demolished last week was built on forest reserve land and that the temple committee was partly to blame for the demolition. He also said that the Ampang Jaya Municipal Council had not informed the state government before the temple was demolished.
from New Straits Times
Xavier: Temple was built on forest reserve
KUALA LUMPUR: The Sri Maha Kaliamman temple committee must share equal responsibility for the demolition of the temple, Selangor state executive councilor Dr A. Xavier Jayakumarare said.
Xavier said the temple was built on forest reserve land and the Ampang Jaya Municipal Council was right to take action.
He said, however, the council should have sought permission from the state government before demolishing the temple.
“The state government was not informed of this matter.
“According to our guidelines, local authorities must seek permission from the state executive council before demolishing any place of worship,” Xavier said after visiting the temple site at Kampung Tasik, Ampang yesterday.
He said the council had been directed to submit a report on the demolition but declined to say if disciplinary action would be taken against anyone.
Xavier said the temple committee chairman, S. Murugiah, had also been advised to write to the state government for approval before rebuilding the structure.
He also described the demolition as a small issue.
“This is a small issue compared with other more serious problems affecting the Indian community. Why don’t we look at the bigger picture?”
Ampang member of parliament Zuraida Kamaruddin has denied that she had said “temple committee workers had demolished the temple to carry out renovation works“.
Her political secretary, who was at the site yesterday, said Zuraida was “misquoted” by several newspapers on Saturday.