Govt told Masjid India temple to move in 2008, says PKR MP

Govt told Masjid India temple to move in 2008, says PKR MP


Published: Mar 23, 2025 8:48 AM
Updated: 11:48 AM


Summary

• Batu MP P Prabakaran says the Dewi Sri Pathrakaliamman temple was relocated to the current site due to a DBKL development project.

• He says irresponsible parties are spreading false accusations and incorrect facts.

The Dewi Sri Pathrakaliamman temple in Jalan Masjid India, Kuala Lumpur, was relocated to its current location in 2008 at the request of the government due to a development project planned by Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL), said Batu MP P Prabakaran.

“The temple was moved to its new location at Lot 328, Section 40, Jalan Bunus Enam, Off Jalan Masjid India, with full approval from the local authorities, particularly DBKL.

“The temple's efforts to reserve Lot 328 began in 2012 but were unsuccessful. DBKL sold Lot 328 to a developer in 2014,” clarified the PKR lawmaker in a statement.

Prabakaran (above) hoped that sharing this information would give a better understanding of the situation since many parties are spreading videos about the issue with incorrect facts and motives.

“To the irresponsible parties who have been or are currently spreading false accusations and incorrect facts regarding this issue, please stop.

“Give the government time to negotiate with the temple committee and the developer to resolve this issue peacefully and amicably,” he added.


READ MORE: KINIGUIDE | Exploring temple crisis in the heart of KL


Yesterday, MIC deputy president M Saravanan also lamented that certain quarters were spreading false information regarding the matter.

The Tapah MP is scheduled to hold a press conference later this morning to set the record straight.

Land issue

Previously, Lawyers for Liberty claimed that DBKL had sold the land to a private company in 2014 without the temple committee’s knowledge.

On Thursday, Jakel Trading Sdn Bhd stated that it had acquired the land in 2012 and received approval in 2021 to begin constructing a mosque there. However, the project had been delayed.

The textile retailer’s legal representative Aiman Dazuki noted that while DBKL had proposed several alternative sites for the temple’s relocation, its committee had not accepted any of them.

He explained that constructing the mosque without relocating the temple was not feasible, as the 1114.8365sq m plot was too small. To address this, the company had agreed to cover the costs of the temple’s relocation.

DBKL confirmed that a new site for the temple had been identified and assured that the temple would not be demolished until it had been successfully relocated.