Datuk Ambiga Sreenevasan speaking at a press conference on the future of Kuil Dewi Sri Pathrakaliamman, with lawyer N. Surendran seated on the right, in Kuala Lumpur. - Youtube screengrab, March 20, 2025.
Dewi Sri Pathrakaliamman temple should remain at current site: Ambiga
"When the land was sold, the temple management was not notified, even though we hold an equitable interest in the land"
Irwan Shafrizan Ismail
Updated 21 hours ago
20 March, 2025
5:29 PM MYT
KUALA LUMPUR – The management of Dewi Sri Pathrakaliamman remains hopeful that the temple can remain at its current site on Jalan Masjid India, despite the land now being privately owned.
Temple management representative and prominent lawyer Datuk Ambiga Sreenevasan said Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) has a social responsibility to support the temple, which has stood on the site for more than 130 years.
Ambiga also claimed that the management was not informed about the land sale, which took place in 2014.
“When the land was sold, the temple management was not notified, even though we hold an equitable interest in the land.
“Therefore, we urge DBKL and the landowner to consider this right. You cannot simply disregard the significance of this temple.
“Masjid India is unique—you have a large Indian community, both Muslim and Hindu.
“For years, they have coexisted peacefully, so why is the government interfering now?” she said at a press conference today.
Ambiga also said that she and the temple management oppose the relocation of the temple to a new site.
When asked whether the management would take legal action, she said they hoped it would not come to that, although there were legal precedents favouring the temple.
“I believe the government needs to be cautious, as any action taken will have serious national implications.
“We must consider the community itself. You cannot simply evict them without due regard.
“We do not wish to escalate this to the courts, even though there have been similar cases before. This should be resolved through a community-based approach, and a solution already exists,” she said.
Proposal for a resolution
Meanwhile, temple management representative Raj Mohan suggested an alternative solution, pointing out that there is an empty plot of land next to the temple that could be used for mosque construction.
“In the spirit of Malaysia’s multicultural society, I believe Muslim and Hindu worshippers would have no issue with their places of worship being next to each other,” he said.
Separately, lawyer N. Surendran, representing the temple management, argued that DBKL should not act as an external party in the dispute, as the land sale was carried out by the city authority itself.
“In other words, this land became private property because of the actions of the government and previous DBKL administration.
“This is not just a case of a temple being built on private land. I believe DBKL’s letter (to the temple management) creates a misleading perception.
“I want to clarify this so we do not fall into the narrative that this is purely private land. The government has a duty to rectify the situation,” he said.
No demolition planned
Earlier, DBKL assured that no demolition work would be carried out on Dewi Sri Pathrakaliamman.
Kuala Lumpur Mayor Datuk Seri Maimunah Mohd Sharif said that the temple could continue operating as usual until the relocation process is finalised.
Jakel Trading Sdn Bhd (Jakel), the textile company that owns the land, also affirmed that no demolition would take place.
Its head of legal and corporate communications, Aiman Dazuki, said discussions with relevant parties had been ongoing for over a decade, focusing on a harmonious relocation process.
For context, the landowner has proposed the construction of a mosque on the site, and discussions are currently underway to find the best resolution for all parties. – March 20, 2025
Dewi Sri Pathrakaliamman temple should remain at current site: Ambiga
"When the land was sold, the temple management was not notified, even though we hold an equitable interest in the land"
Irwan Shafrizan Ismail
Updated 21 hours ago
20 March, 2025
5:29 PM MYT
KUALA LUMPUR – The management of Dewi Sri Pathrakaliamman remains hopeful that the temple can remain at its current site on Jalan Masjid India, despite the land now being privately owned.
Temple management representative and prominent lawyer Datuk Ambiga Sreenevasan said Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) has a social responsibility to support the temple, which has stood on the site for more than 130 years.
Ambiga also claimed that the management was not informed about the land sale, which took place in 2014.
“When the land was sold, the temple management was not notified, even though we hold an equitable interest in the land.
“Therefore, we urge DBKL and the landowner to consider this right. You cannot simply disregard the significance of this temple.
“Masjid India is unique—you have a large Indian community, both Muslim and Hindu.
“For years, they have coexisted peacefully, so why is the government interfering now?” she said at a press conference today.
Ambiga also said that she and the temple management oppose the relocation of the temple to a new site.
When asked whether the management would take legal action, she said they hoped it would not come to that, although there were legal precedents favouring the temple.
“I believe the government needs to be cautious, as any action taken will have serious national implications.
“We must consider the community itself. You cannot simply evict them without due regard.
“We do not wish to escalate this to the courts, even though there have been similar cases before. This should be resolved through a community-based approach, and a solution already exists,” she said.
Proposal for a resolution
Meanwhile, temple management representative Raj Mohan suggested an alternative solution, pointing out that there is an empty plot of land next to the temple that could be used for mosque construction.
“In the spirit of Malaysia’s multicultural society, I believe Muslim and Hindu worshippers would have no issue with their places of worship being next to each other,” he said.
Separately, lawyer N. Surendran, representing the temple management, argued that DBKL should not act as an external party in the dispute, as the land sale was carried out by the city authority itself.
“In other words, this land became private property because of the actions of the government and previous DBKL administration.
“This is not just a case of a temple being built on private land. I believe DBKL’s letter (to the temple management) creates a misleading perception.
“I want to clarify this so we do not fall into the narrative that this is purely private land. The government has a duty to rectify the situation,” he said.
No demolition planned
Earlier, DBKL assured that no demolition work would be carried out on Dewi Sri Pathrakaliamman.
Kuala Lumpur Mayor Datuk Seri Maimunah Mohd Sharif said that the temple could continue operating as usual until the relocation process is finalised.
Jakel Trading Sdn Bhd (Jakel), the textile company that owns the land, also affirmed that no demolition would take place.
Its head of legal and corporate communications, Aiman Dazuki, said discussions with relevant parties had been ongoing for over a decade, focusing on a harmonious relocation process.
For context, the landowner has proposed the construction of a mosque on the site, and discussions are currently underway to find the best resolution for all parties. – March 20, 2025
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