By the time a by-election was called in Merlimau in February, the committee members of a unique Hindu-Taoist temple in Kampung Simpang Kerayong had just about lost all hope. But with the by-election came the glare of the media spotlight. And several months after the communal storm which surrounded the 40-year-old temple was given much airplay, the temple is finally able to be built on the land where it was founded.
According to temple committee member N Ganesan, the approval came on March 29 through a telephone call from Malacca executive councillor R Perumal.
“A few of us from the committee met Perumal on March 27, and discussed the matter. Our architect also met some officials prior to that.“Chief Minister Mohd Ali Rustam had also visited the site earlier, and we understand that the approval came after his intervention,” said Ganesan when contacted. Perumal, when contacted, confirmed this.
No formal letter of approval
But according to its project architect A Sundran, a formal letter of approval has yet to be issued, and this is expected to cause problems in obtaining a permit for construction. Ganesan said that the temple has contacted Perumal about it, and had been told to be patient. “It would be good to have the letter of approval so that we can show our funders that the project will actually take place, as it has been delayed several times now,” he said.The temple, which is now a small room with Taoist and Hindu deities and a cemented porch, will be expanded to a proper complex with renovations which have been pending for about a decade.
The renovations, despite initially receiving state exco approval as it is on private land, received heavy resistance from groups claiming to represent the nearby Malay villagers.The villagers had moved into public housing across the street in the last decade, after the temple was established. Among the objectors were the village security and safety committee (JKKK ) and the local Umno branch, whose approval was interestingly the condition given by the Rim assemblyperson Mohd Yazed Khalid in his support letter. The temple sits on the border of the Rim and Merlimau constituencies.
Protestors silenced?
The two organisations claim that villagers complain that the bells used at the temple disturb the peace, as do the many worshippers who come during festivities who are said to be blocking the narrow street. The temple is also a few hundred meters away from a surau. They had proposed that the temple, which stands on private land bought with donations from worshippers, be moved about a kilometer away to a “more appropriate” location.But a man who runs a sundry shop across the street from the temple, Fauzi Mohammad (left), claims that he has no issues with the temple and that 85 percent of those who live in the area are okay with it.
“We don't really know what happened to those who had protested. Perumal did not give much details but it does seem that they have become quiet now. “We're happy to get the approval, but we'd be happier if it was in black-and-white,” Ganesan said.
Source : http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/162076
“A few of us from the committee met Perumal on March 27, and discussed the matter. Our architect also met some officials prior to that.“Chief Minister Mohd Ali Rustam had also visited the site earlier, and we understand that the approval came after his intervention,” said Ganesan when contacted. Perumal, when contacted, confirmed this.
No formal letter of approval
But according to its project architect A Sundran, a formal letter of approval has yet to be issued, and this is expected to cause problems in obtaining a permit for construction. Ganesan said that the temple has contacted Perumal about it, and had been told to be patient. “It would be good to have the letter of approval so that we can show our funders that the project will actually take place, as it has been delayed several times now,” he said.The temple, which is now a small room with Taoist and Hindu deities and a cemented porch, will be expanded to a proper complex with renovations which have been pending for about a decade.
The renovations, despite initially receiving state exco approval as it is on private land, received heavy resistance from groups claiming to represent the nearby Malay villagers.The villagers had moved into public housing across the street in the last decade, after the temple was established. Among the objectors were the village security and safety committee (JKKK ) and the local Umno branch, whose approval was interestingly the condition given by the Rim assemblyperson Mohd Yazed Khalid in his support letter. The temple sits on the border of the Rim and Merlimau constituencies.
Protestors silenced?
The two organisations claim that villagers complain that the bells used at the temple disturb the peace, as do the many worshippers who come during festivities who are said to be blocking the narrow street. The temple is also a few hundred meters away from a surau. They had proposed that the temple, which stands on private land bought with donations from worshippers, be moved about a kilometer away to a “more appropriate” location.But a man who runs a sundry shop across the street from the temple, Fauzi Mohammad (left), claims that he has no issues with the temple and that 85 percent of those who live in the area are okay with it.
“We don't really know what happened to those who had protested. Perumal did not give much details but it does seem that they have become quiet now. “We're happy to get the approval, but we'd be happier if it was in black-and-white,” Ganesan said.
Source : http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/162076
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