Batu Caves Will Be Preserved - Najib

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 13 (Bernama) -- Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak on Tuesday gave the assurance that the Batu Caves area will be preserved.

He said if the Barisan Nasional (BN) was able to re-capture Selangor in the coming general election, it would annul the 29-storey condominium project in the area and instead, propose for Batu Caves to be declared a world heritage site.

Najib said Batu Caves was close to the hearts of Hindus not only in Malaysia but also abroad as they considered it to be a holy place.

"We do not want development in this area to threaten the future of the Batu Caves complex," he said when addressing the crowd that had thronged the Deepavali Open House organised by MIC at the Batu Caves Complex here.

Many quarters have objected to the implementation of the proposed condominium project, planned to be built near the limestone hill at the complex.

On the move to make Batu Caves a world heritage site, Najib said the matter would have to be brought to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural organisation (Unesco) after Malaysia completed its term as a member of the World Heritage Commission in 2015.

This effort will be made through the Information, Communications and Culture Ministry.

"We cannot submit the application now because there may be a conflict of interest. Our term ends in 2015 and after that we will submit our official request for the Batu Caves Complex to be declared by Unesco as a world heritage site," he added.

In his speech, Najib also announced that the Deepavali public holiday would also be observed in the Federal Territory of Labuan.

"Although Labuan does not have many Hindus, but because Labuan is also part of the Federal Territories, they are also eligible to observe the day as a public holiday," said Najib.

He regarded the Deepavali Open House organised by MIC, held at Batu Caves for the second time, as a merry one and the crowd gathered at the premises as a reflection of the 1Malaysia spirit.

"The 1Malaysia spirit which is supported by mutual respect among the races, religions and cultures which as been nurtured for so long is the pillar of our country," he added.

Najib later attended the Deepavali open house organised by the Malaysian Associated Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MAICCI) at Rumah Puspanita here where he was greeted on arrival by MAICCI president Datuk K.K.Eswaran.

Present were Chief Secretary to the Government Datuk Seri Dr Ali Hamsa, Raja Nong Chik, Liow, Koh and Wanita Umno Chief Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil as well as Najib's son Nor Ashman.

Before leaving the event where guests included orphans and underprivileged children about 45 minutes later, Najib cut a three-tiered Deepavali cake and received a garland of flowers from Eswaran.

Meanwhile, Eswaran urged the Indian community to give their full support to the government and the prime minister, and stressed on the importance of practising the 1Malaysia concept.

He said under Najib, the government extended assistance which allowed more Indians to participate in the business sector including small and medium enterprises (SMEs).

"The Indian business community can't complain any more and must give full support to Datuk Seri Najib because he has shown his concern towards us," he said, citing the RM180 million special allocation for Indian entrepreneurs as an example.

Najib then headed for the Federal Territory People's Progressive Party's (PPP) Deepavali do in Jalan Sentul here which was attended by PPP president Datuk M.Kayveas, Federal Territory PPP chairman Datuk A.Chandrakumanan and party senior vice-president Datuk Maglin Dennis D'Cruz as well as other cabinet members and politicians.