Gobalakrishnan questions their motive for endorsing official findings that the Bukit Gasing temple structure is dangerous and unsafe
PETALING JAYA: Selangor state exco Dr Xavier Jayakumar and MBPJ councillor Derek Fernandez were taken to task for issuing statements that the Bukit Gasing Sivan temple is endangering public safety.
“Who are they to issue statements seemingly on behalf of the temple committee?” asked Independent MP N Gobalakrishnan.
“They are not even in the temple committee.”
He was commenting on a press conference by Xavier and Derek on Feb 8 where Derek was quoted as saying that cracks on the floor of the temple has made it structurally dangerous.
Gobalakrishnan alleged that Derek, the MBPJ planning committee and development member, had a ‘vested interest’ for issuing the statement since he is a Bukit Gasing resident.
“I believe that the temple committee members who have remained silent on the issue have been coerced to back Xavier’s and Derek’s views that that the temple area is unstable.
Derek was also quoted as saying that the Malaysian Public Works Institute (Ikram) had carried out inspections and declared the temple area and earth around it unsafe.
Despite Ikram’s findings, Gobalakrishnan was of the opinion that there were not sufficient opinion from other experts on the issue and requested that the temple be not moved.
“I have spoken to several structural engineers on this matter who told me that the main area of the temple need not be tampered with and is sound,” said Gobalakrishnan.
The Bukit Gasing Sivan temple was closed for renovation and extension works in 2008. The MBPJ subsequently issued a stop work order after a minor landslide.
The temple has yet to be reopened fully to worshippers since then. On Tuesday, the Human Rights Party sent a legal notice to the Selangor government seeking clarification on steps taken to reopen the temple.
PETALING JAYA: Selangor state exco Dr Xavier Jayakumar and MBPJ councillor Derek Fernandez were taken to task for issuing statements that the Bukit Gasing Sivan temple is endangering public safety.“Who are they to issue statements seemingly on behalf of the temple committee?” asked Independent MP N Gobalakrishnan.
“They are not even in the temple committee.”
He was commenting on a press conference by Xavier and Derek on Feb 8 where Derek was quoted as saying that cracks on the floor of the temple has made it structurally dangerous.
Gobalakrishnan alleged that Derek, the MBPJ planning committee and development member, had a ‘vested interest’ for issuing the statement since he is a Bukit Gasing resident.
“I believe that the temple committee members who have remained silent on the issue have been coerced to back Xavier’s and Derek’s views that that the temple area is unstable.
Derek was also quoted as saying that the Malaysian Public Works Institute (Ikram) had carried out inspections and declared the temple area and earth around it unsafe.
Despite Ikram’s findings, Gobalakrishnan was of the opinion that there were not sufficient opinion from other experts on the issue and requested that the temple be not moved.
“I have spoken to several structural engineers on this matter who told me that the main area of the temple need not be tampered with and is sound,” said Gobalakrishnan.
The Bukit Gasing Sivan temple was closed for renovation and extension works in 2008. The MBPJ subsequently issued a stop work order after a minor landslide.
The temple has yet to be reopened fully to worshippers since then. On Tuesday, the Human Rights Party sent a legal notice to the Selangor government seeking clarification on steps taken to reopen the temple.
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