'Construction workers build illegal temples to seek divine protection'
Zarrah Morden
Published: Mar 25, 2025 5:59 PM
Updated: 8:59 PM
Summary
- Smaller temples built illegally may have been placed by construction workers seeking divine protection for their job, says Malaysia Council of Hindu Temples and Hindu Associations (Mahima) president N Sivakumar.
- There is also confusion over who has authority on land matters over pre-Independence temples, Sivakumar says.
- He adds that Mahima is currently formulating guidelines on temple construction and related matters to prevent such issues from recurring.
Smaller temples built illegally might have been placed there by construction workers, said Malaysia Council of Hindu Temples and Hindu Associations (Mahima) president N Sivakumar.
He told Malaysiakini that the practice was done not only by Hindu workers but by those of Chinese descent as well.
“Actually, those are built because some of them (workers) might do some construction work and they just want the protection of god to be placed there.
“Later, when the construction is over, they might forget to remove it,” he said.
Discourse on the illegal placement of temples and shrines stems from the relocation of the Dewi Sri Pathrakaliamman temple in Masjid India, Kuala Lumpur, which will be demolished to make way for a mosque.
He told Malaysiakini that the practice was done not only by Hindu workers but by those of Chinese descent as well.
“Actually, those are built because some of them (workers) might do some construction work and they just want the protection of god to be placed there.
“Later, when the construction is over, they might forget to remove it,” he said.
Discourse on the illegal placement of temples and shrines stems from the relocation of the Dewi Sri Pathrakaliamman temple in Masjid India, Kuala Lumpur, which will be demolished to make way for a mosque.
The temple’s original structure was built in 1893 and parts of it were demolished to make way for road expansion works at the Kuala Lumpur City Hall’s (DBKL) request.
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim stated that the temple was built without permission and must be handled lawfully while ensuring a respectful relocation.
The temple committee has since reached a deal with DBKL and it will be moved to a location nearby.
The temple will remain operational until the newer temple has been built, MIC deputy president M Saravanan said.
Who’s in charge before independence?
Meanwhile, Sivakumar explained that older and larger temples had been built by estate workers earlier in the country’s history when most places were dense rainforests before development.
With deforestation and development, these temples become exposed to the public, he said.
“I don't know who to blame (over this),” he said.
In those days, he said, the lands were controlled by the British administration, and it was not obvious who devotees should apply to for a house of worship.
Mahima president N Sivakumar
“Because who was the owner of the place before the independence of the country?” he said.
He added that the government should establish a task force to specifically manage this issue.
Guideline in the works
Besides that, he said Mahima is currently planning a blueprint for building Hindu houses of worship.
The initiative began in December, two months after he became the Mahima president, he said.
This blueprint will cover all sorts of issues such as how to register with the Registrar of Societies (ROS), where to apply for funds, suitable locations and so on.
Sivakumar said he is going from state to state to speak to temples all over the country before holding a conference on the matter.
So far, he has gone to Negeri Sembilan and Pahang.
“It will take at least another three to four, five months to complete.
“So, then after that, we can start to present,” he said.
He hopes that issuing a formal guideline would prevent such incidents from recurring.
“Because who was the owner of the place before the independence of the country?” he said.
He added that the government should establish a task force to specifically manage this issue.
Guideline in the works
Besides that, he said Mahima is currently planning a blueprint for building Hindu houses of worship.
The initiative began in December, two months after he became the Mahima president, he said.
This blueprint will cover all sorts of issues such as how to register with the Registrar of Societies (ROS), where to apply for funds, suitable locations and so on.
Sivakumar said he is going from state to state to speak to temples all over the country before holding a conference on the matter.
So far, he has gone to Negeri Sembilan and Pahang.
“It will take at least another three to four, five months to complete.
“So, then after that, we can start to present,” he said.
He hopes that issuing a formal guideline would prevent such incidents from recurring.
I have bought and sold land and buildings before. These matters
ReplyDeletedefinitely can and should be handled pragmatically and respectfully.
Construction site "Datuk Kong" shrines are totally different matter from true Deity temples.
The construction site shrines are usually removed by the contractor at the completion of construction , usually stipulated in the contract. Sometimes the building owner chooses to continue and even renovate the shrine into a concrete structure.
If the land and building are sold, the new owners , as part of due diligence should have the settlement on the shrine as part of the sale contract. A Muslim or Christian buyer may stipulate the shrine must be removed as part of unencumbered handover.
Buddhist, Taoist or Hindu owners often choose to maintain the shrine, as it is considered bad luck to demolish such shrines.
I know two very successful Malls in Malaysia - MidValley Megamall in KL and Gurney Plaza in Penang that have preexisting Hindu temples kept on the land and the owners actually contribute to the upkeep of the temple.
We CAN all live together and win in Malaysia