A Hindu temple in Permas Jaya, Johor Bahru was broken into and vandalised last Sunday with all idols within the premises were smashed or disfigured and banana plants in the compound were chopped down.

The temple committee discovered the break-in on Sunday morning when they entered the temple at 7am to start their daily prayers.

temple demolished at permas jaya johor 230609 03 "They (the vandals) "broke the idols and disfigured some of them. The banana plants (outside the temple) were also chopped down," said a committee member who only wished to be identified as Letchumi.

According to Letchumi, a police report was lodged.

When contacted, a police spokesperson confirmed the incident and added that investigations are being carried out.

Letchumi's daughter, Priyapharasini (Priya), who regularly worships at the temple, refused to point any fingers but noted that the vandalism occurred exactly two months after the committee received an eviction notice from the Johor Bahru City Council (MBJB).

Letchumi said that the eviction notice, dated April 22, was just stuck on the temple wall with instructions to clear the premise within two weeks.

'No reason for eviction'

Priya also added that they were ordered in the notice to demolish the temple or the MBJB would do it themselves and charge the temple committee for costs incurred.

"No reason was given for the eviction. But the notice cited Section 72 of the Street, Drainage and Building Act 1974," she said.

temple demolished at permas jaya johor 230609 02 Section 72 of the Act empowers local authorities to demolish buildings deemed to have been illegally erected.

She told Malaysiakini that upon receiving the eviction notice, her father Ganesha, who is also the temple committee chairman, immediately sought help from Johor PKR representative K Selvakumaran.

Selvakumaran met M Asojan, the BN state assemblyman of Gambir. He said that Asojan assured him that the matter was settled and the devotees could continue worshipping there.

Selvakumaran also said that the vandalism had nothing to do with the MBJB notice.

No disturbance for 20 years

According to P Magendran Mahen, another Johor PKR member, the medium-sized temple was built 30 years ago and could accommodate approximately 50 people.

It is located 15 to 20 minutes away from Johor Bahru.

"As far as we know, this temple is built on private land, so there should be no reason why MBJB should evict us," Priya commented.

However, Letchumi said that she did not know who the land belongs to, but they were in the midst of finding out.

The temple committee has not faced any problems or complications since Ganesha became chairperson of the committee 20 years ago.