Ganesan refutes claim of temple relocation

The Speaker vs Speaker saga which first centred on political power in the Perak state assembly has now shifted to religious issues.

State assembly Speaker and MIC state secretary R Ganesan assured Perakians that no temple in the state will be demolished without the consent of the temple's management committee.

"The BN state government does not demolish temples without the permission of the temple committee to relocate a place of worship," said Ganesan (left), rebutting claims to the contrary.

"We always go for an amicable solution as religion and temple matters are sensitive issues that need to be handled in a careful manner without hurting the feelings of the people," he explained.

He said that there will be no forceful demolishment of temples and the BN will negotiate with the relevant authorities on such sensitive issues for the betterment of the rakyat.

Ousted Pakatan Speaker and Tronoh assemblyperson V Sivakumar claimed at a press conference yesterday that a 100 year-old Hindu temple is to be moved from its current site within 14 days.

Located along Jalan Tanjung Tualang in Batu Gajah, the Sri Maha Kaliamman temple committee has been given notice by the Batu Gajah district officer to vacate the land.

Sivakumar said that the temple which was initially near the road was moved further away from the main trunk road for development.

Now the authorities want the shifted temple to be vacated and relocated within 14 days of Dec 7, the date of notice, as the area has been earmarked for development by the state.

Sivakumar sees the move as a sinister plan to shift the historical temple to a remote area, away from the centrally located place of worship for Hindus living in the Batu Gajah area.

Two reasons given for relocation

According to Sivakumar, the two reasons given by the Batu Gajah district office for the temple to be relocated was that the temple is illegally constructed on state land and, the other was that the authorities are acting on a complaint lodged by the owner of a stall with an annual Temporary Occupation Licence (TOL). His stall was located next to the temple about three months ago.

Sivakumar's question is why the district office is giving importance to a stall set up a few months ago when compared to the historical temple that is patronised by thousands of Hindus during their festivals.

Yesterday, both Sivakumar (right) and Ganesan held meetings with several of the temple's committee members but a decision to relocate will only be taken when the full committee meets soon.

According to Ganesan he had discussions with the Batu Gajah district officer who agreed not to pursue the eviction matter until the committee makes its stand known.