Caretakers of six demolished Hindu temples want developers to build places of worship or provide alternative land for structures have been torn down over the past three months.

Their demands were part of a nine-point memorandum submitted this afternoon to the Human Rights Commssion of Malaysia (Suhakam), on behalf of the temple committees involved.

Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) Youth deputy head S Manikavasagam handed over the memorandum after briefing commissioner SK Choo, who heads the complaints and inquiry working group.

"This is the third time we have come to Suhakam over this matter, but it has not acted. This time, we expect serious action on the issues," he told Choo with clear frustration.

In the memorandum, the group called on Suhakam to direct federal, state and local auhorities to stop labelling Hindu shrines and temples as "illegal', and to end the planned demolitions with immediate effect.

It said a task force should be set up to identify and provide land titles for all such places of worship and to gazette the land as Hindu Temple Reserves.

There should further be provision for Hindu temples in all areas earmarked for housing development, while all non-Muslim paces of worship should be protected.

In this respect, the premier and chief ministers of states should oversee matters pertaining to religious rights and to allocate funds for the maintenance of all places of worship.

'Follow example'

PKR Bukit Bintang deputy president S Pushpalinggam said developers should follow the example set at the Mid-valley Mega Mall.

"The developer removed the existing temple, but built a bigger and more beautiful temple (near one entrance to the shopping mall). Everybody was happy with the contribution and we want others to follow the example," he said.

He further urged the government to reflect on its claims that Malaysia is a multi-racial and multi-religious nation.

"It tells other countries so proudly that we live in harmony, so it must show that the citizens are allowed to pray peacefully," he stressed.

Several hundred devotees have been affected by the demolition of each of the six temples:

- Sri Ayyanar Sathiswary Alayam temple in Jalan Davies, Kuala Lumpur;

- Malaimel Sri Selva Kaliamman temple in Pantai Dalam, Kuala Lumpur;

- Sri Mariamman temple in Section 11 Shah Alam';

- Sri Kaliamman temple in Midlands Estate Section 7 Shah Alam;and

- Ganggai Muthu Karumariaman temple in Kulim, Kedah.

The Sri Balakrishnan Muniswarer temple in Setapak was partially demolished last month and temple committee have been informed that the rest of the structure will be demolished tomorrow. Committee members said they would protest the operations.

The demolition of several temples has been a sore point with the Hindu community, which has hit back at such operations.