Another Hindu temple in Johor has come forth to complain about land issues.

This time, the local representative maintains the government has already taken the temple’s woes into account with advice for the temple committee to exercise patience.

Kahang assemblyperson R Vidyanathan (photo) said a land title application by the Sri Maha Mariamman temple, located in Taman Sri Lambak in Kluang, was currently being processed at the Johor Land and Mines Office (PTG).

He was responding to criticism form the temple's committee that he had failed to follow through on the matter after promising to solve it.

“Their application is at the state level and is now towards the end of the (entire) process.

“A lot of paperwork is needed and there are many procedures involved. I have met with the menteri besar (Mohamed Khaled Nordin) personally to ask that this application be fast-tracked.

“We just need to have it sent to the state executive council meeting for approval (and it will be done).

“I am the representative here. If I can help temples in other areas, am I going to neglect my own kawasan (constituency)?” Vidyanathan told Malaysiakini when contacted.

Last September, Vidyanathan held a meeting with the temple committee, the Kluang land office, the Kluang district office and the Development Authority of Southeast Johor (Kejora).

The temple, which is situated on Kejora-owned land, was promised a title at the meeting.

“It’s only been four months since the meeting. The temple committee needs to be more patient,” said Vidyanathan, who chairs the Johor state unity and human resources committee.

His statement was in response to a strongly-worded press statement issued by the temple committee's president K Veeramalai yesterday lambasting Vidyanathan for alleged inaction after promising to solve their request for a land title for the temple grounds.

“To this day, we have yet to receive anything in black and white stating that land has been approved for our temple.

“We regret the attitude shown by Vidyanathan who should be showing concern for issues in his constituency.

“He acted like a jaguh (champion) at the recent temple demolition in Masai (above) but ignores temple issues in his own area,” said Veeramalai, adding that their attempts to contact Vidyanathan had been fruitless.

The temple committee's statement comes soon after the Sri Sakti Sri Sinna Karuppar Aalayam temple was demolished in Masai with Pakatan Harapan slamming the state government for being insensitive.

Johor ruler Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar had to step in to resolve the issue.