Malaysia Hindu Sangam (MHS) president A Vaithilingam has expressed his unhappiness over the relocation of 28 out of 29 temples in Kuala Lumpur.

“I am very disappointed. After March 8, 2008, the DBKL committee has not functioned. The issue of relocation is now dealt directly by the Deputy Federal Territories Minister M Saravanan. He is considering reconvening the committee. Taoist temples are also affected.”

Vaithilingam added that the relocation of “each temple should have been decided on a case-by-case basis”.

According to a Bernama report, Deputy Federal Territories Minister, M Saravanan announced that 28 out of 29 temples in Kuala Lumpur have agreed to relocate except for the Sri Muniaswarar Temple in Jalan Air Panas in Setapak.

"It has become a government policy not to demolish any house of worship without giving an alternative area for them to relocate.

Unbecoming to built toilets in front of temples

"To those who refuse to relocate, they will be given 30 days and an alternative location, following which we may proceed to demolish the building. We did not force them to move out without giving them another place to go; several alternatives had been suggested," Saravanan was quoted.

Vaithilingam was also equally disappointed over plans to construct public toilets in front of a temple in Klang.

“It is most unbecoming and very unethical. We are very disappointed that the MPK (Majlis Perbandaran Klang) is proceeding with this. How would you feel if public toilets are built in front of your place of worship?”

The construction of the toilets in front of Sri Maha Mariamman Temple in Tengku Kelana has recently been stopped despite it being 70 percent complete.

The construction has created a rift between MPK and the temple committee members along with locals recently.

Vaithilingam said this at a press conference where he announced that Malaysia Hindu Sangam would be organising Malaysia’s first national temple conference on May 10, 2009 from 7.30am to 5.30pm. The theme of the conference is: “Our Temple Our Community.”

The MHS is targeting 500 temples and Hindu organisations. Only three delegates from each organisation can attend. A fee of RM50 per individual would be charged.