Hindu temple legal adviser rubbishes 'liquor' claim

The legal adviser to the Sri Muneswarar Kaliyaman temple in Kuala Lumpur has rubbished Federal Territories Minister Tengku Adnan Mansor’s claims that the temple was used for shady activties and that hard liquor was found on site.

“People can plant whatever they want. We have been working closely with the temple committee and the chairperson is someone of high discipline,” M Manogaran said when contacted.

Manogaran, who was the DAP’s Teluk Intan MP, said even though the authorities have stated they will not touch the main temple hall, its wall is now damaged and at risk of collapse.

This was the result of the demolition of the annexures, which included the caretakers’ living quarters that is attached to the main temple located on Jalan P Ramlee.

Manogaran also said MIC chief G Palanivel is mistaken in claiming that the temple has not been demolished since the main structure is still standing.

“Parts of the areas that were demolished include altars with deities on them. So how can he say these are not part of the temple?” he asked.

He denied claims that the temple had deliberately erected the altars recently, several feet from the main temple, to stop DBKL from reclaiming an eight-foot strip.

The structures demolished by DBKL, “without court order and notice” yesterday morning, went beyond this strip, he said, and all around the main temple.

The architect engaged by the temple committee for renovations promised by the authorities has drawn up plans for about 5,000 square feet, taking into account the areas in which structures were demolished.

“But now it seems that the only area allowed is about 500 square feet at the most,” he said.

Asked if the temple committee would take legal action since the demolition was done without a court order, Manogaran said: “We have discussed this and decided not to. They do not have faith in the courts any more.”
Temple will be ‘rebuilt’

The committee had engaged the architect in preparation for a meeting with Deputy Federal Territories Minister Loga Bala Mohan Jaganathan, scheduled for Nov 19, to discuss the refurbishment of the temple.

Although confirming this, Loga Bala (left) said the only portions the government has agreed to “rebuild” are the main temple and the gopuram (the usually ornate tower often found at the entrance to Hindu temples).

“I will still meet with the temple committee on Nov 19. We are talking about rebuilding the temple - just the two structures (the main temple and gopuram), and not the rest of it,” he said.

“Our aim was to do this and arrange for land to be gazetted to the temple. It will not be moved.”

Speaking to Malaysiakini from Spain, he said he was not aware of DBKL's actions yesterday as this was under the council's jurisdiction.

Hap Seng Consolidated Bhd will contribute to the refurbishment of the temple, Loga Bala added.