A RM10 million cable car project, when completed next year, will transport visitors and temple devotees to the top of Batu Caves without having to walk up the 272 steps.

thaipusam 210105 batu caves Sri Maha Mariamman Temple management and Damodar Ropeways and Constructions Pty Ltd have today signed a memorandum of understanding to set up the 250-metre cable car service.

The ceremony was witnessed by Prime Minister Najib Razak, and he expressed confidence that the facility would become a tourist attraction in Batu Caves.

Meanwhile, Najib, who visited the temple in conjunction with Thaipusam, said the Malaysian society has reached the highest level of appreciation for the country's diversity through the 1Malaysia concept.

This augured well for the country's bid to become a developed and successful nation, he said.

 

"If we are able to celebrate diversity, we have reached the ultimate in terms of accepting diversity as a source of strength for our country," he said.

This was the second time the prime minister visited Batu Caves in conjunction with the festival. His first was last year.

Najib said under the 1Malaysia concept, one has to move from merely being tolerant to total acceptance of the diversity and then celebrating it as a source of strength.

 

Najib said that for Malaysia to become a developed and successful country, its struggle should be inclusive and based on the ties that bind the people, with the society "having confidence that Malaysia will become a developed and successful country if we have a strong and stable government."

"Only a strong and stable government can assure the future of our country," he said.

 

The prime minister also said the government recognised the roles played by the Indian community in the development of the country.

NONE As a mark of appreciation, he said, the government launched a project to upgrade Brickfields into a vibrant place known as Little India, an initiative which he said would provide economic spin-off to the local traders.

"We believe Little India will emerge as a symbol of our appreciation and respect for cultural diversity in the country," he said.

Seal of approval from Indian PM

Najib said the government had also allocated RM6.9 million for Batu Caves' beautification and landscaping programme as well as for the construction of a new block for SJK(T) Batu Caves, which was completed last month.

NONE At the same time, the prime minister said, the government, in collaboration with the MIC and non-governmental organisations, would continue with programmes aimed at helping the Indian community.

The government's effort to assist the community was acknowledged by Indian Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh, who visited the country in October last year, he said.

"I want to express my deepest appreciation to Dr Manmohan for expressing his positive appreciation for what we are doing here in Malaysia.

"And of course of the proudest moment, which he said, was when we attended the launching of Little India. That is a very meaningful statement," he said.

Mahmohan, in a speech at the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas convention in Delhi, India, recently expressed pride at the launch of Little India in Kuala Lumpur, saying it brought fond and touching memories.

Some 1.5 million Hindu devotees and tourists thronged Batu Caves for the festival today.

- Bernama