Perkasa wants Hindu temple to face Banting

Perkasa Youth is curious as to why a Hindu temple has been constructed at a Malay-majority area, and suggests that perhaps the entrance should face Banting where there is a large Hindu population.

Its chief Irwan Fahmi Ideris said the soon-to-be-completed Sri Lalithambikai Alayam temple in Precint 20, Putrajaya has a “somewhat inappropriate location”.

“There are not many Hindus in Putrajaya and if the entrance faces Banting, this would make it easier for them to reach the temple,” Irwan told Malaysiakini.

“Although I am not sure of the exact figure, I know the majority of those living in Putrajaya are Malays,” he said.

Irwan (right), nevertheless, stressed that they were not questioning the freedom of religion, rather, merely questioning the temple’s location.

“We will not hold demonstrations over the matter as we respect the other religions,” he said.

He added that he will be meeting with the local authority, Perbadanan Putrajaya (Putrajaya Corporation), to obtain a more detailed explanation on the matter.

However, it is noted that a date has not been set for the meeting.

“We will also meet the Putrajaya Perkasa Youth to get more information on the matter since it is their area,” he said.

Former MIC president S Samy Vellu had announced, in January 2013, the construction of the temple - dubbed the “most unique temple in the country” - at a cost of RM12 million.

The temple mixes both Northern and Southern Indian elements, and is expected to accommodate close to 10,000 people during festivities.

Putrajaya Sri Maha Mariamman Devasthanam Devotees' Association president R Kanagaraja had said that the 17,000 sq ft structure will be built on a one-acre plot, to be completed in mid-2015.

There are about 1,500 Hindus, most of them civil servants, living in Putrajaya.