Sri Pathrakaliamman Temple Row

24/03/2025

1. The Sri Pathrakaliamman Temple, located on Jalan Munshi Abdullah near Masjid India, Kuala Lumpur, is at the center of a land dispute involving its potential relocation for a mosque project scheduled to commence on March 27, 2025. Conflicting accounts exist regarding the temple's history and its current legal status.
2. Batu Member of Parliament P Prabakaran says the Temple was relocated to the current location 2008 (FMT, 22/03/2025).
3. Former Hindu Sangam Presiudent A Vaithilingam, dates the temples presence to 1947 and disputes the 2008 relocation, stating the temple only ceded land for road widening and underwent Kula Lumpur Citi Hall (DBKL) approved renovations. and inauguration (kumbabhishegam) (Malaysiakini, 23/03/2025).
4. MIC Deputy President V. Saravanan claimed that he, along with the late Samy Vellu, played a role in preventing the temple's demolition in 2006 (Makkal Osai, 23/03/2025). He also maintained that the temple has been situated at its current location for nearly a century, and clarified that in 2006, only a portion of the temple grounds was affected by road widening, and not a full relocation
5. No explanation from Prabaharan how he got his facts wrong when he claimed to having discussion with the Temple authorities.
6. Umno Youth chief Datuk Akmal Saleh said Jakel Trading Sdn Bhd, the landowner, has spent 10 years discussing a resolution and had not forced an immediate eviction.
7.  Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil “The landowner and temple committee — want to resolve (the matter) amicably, and DBKL is facilitating. Three parties are enough, others don’t need to interfere,”
8. Lawyers for Liberty (LFL) alleged that the temple committee did not receive notification of DBKL's land sale to Jakel Trading Sdn Bhd until 2016, two years following the transaction.
9. Police arrested a suspect in connection with threats made against Firdaus Wong, a Muslim preacher who is a student of the controversial Zakir Naik.
10. “The mosque will be built as planned and a site for the temple will be provided. I cannot imagine myself as prime minister ordering the demolition of any temple or religious establishment.
11. “It’s an old temple but its status is not officially approved. However, to maintain harmony, the company (which owns the land) has agreed to provide some assistance, while DBKL (Kuala Lumpur City Hall) has already identified a replacement site to prevent any issues”.
    "My temple committee said the same … discuss it amicably. We are friends and companions, and do not portray us as tyrants and do not listen to instigators”.
    “The problem is that there are religious opportunists, including lawyers who have never been involved in Hindu religious activities, suddenly positioning themselves as champions and making statements as if the temple is about to be demolished,” Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim” (Bernama, 21/03/2025).
12. "We fail to understand how a groundbreaking ceremony can be held when talks on the status of the temple have yet to reach a conclusion," - Raj Mohan Pillai, deputy president of the Dewi Sri Pathrakaliamman (MalaysiaNow.
13. "We cannot have a narrative that says this is private land and therefore it must leave. This is not a commercial property. This is a temple, a cultural centre. The government must resolve this matter because they are the one who sold the land. "There is a plot of land next to it where the mosque can be built. We welcome the construction of the mosque there, where it will reflect the spirit of mutual respect and tolerance among Malaysians." – Surendran, Lawyers for Liberty's Advisor.
14. “The sale of the land was a letdown, disregarding the temple’s long-standing historical and cultural significance. DBKL’s decision to sell the land without securing the temple’s legal status was a gross oversight”. - Ramasamy Palanisamy, President of United Rights of Malaysian Party (Urimai).
15. “The Dewi Sri Pathrakaliamman Temple in Jalan Masjid India has been built for a long time, more than 100 years ago (in 1893 to be precise) and long before the Malay Peninsula became independent. Our country was still colonised by the British then. The temple was built with the permission of the then governing authorities as a place of worship for Hindu Indian workers who were brought into the country by the British colonialist, including to Kuala Lumpur to build roads, railway tracks and other infrastructural constructions of which have remained in existence to this day” – Pasir Gudang Member of Parliament Hassan Karim.
16. "I chose to explain this issue to send a clear message that the Federal Religious Council (Majlis Agama Wilayah), the construction company, and DBKL (Kuala Lumpur City Hall) are all urged to be moderate, polite, and to engage in a proper dialogue to find a solution. Do not portray us as oppressors, and do not listen to those who stir up trouble... some Malaysians have asked, ‘What’s wrong with building a mosque next to the temple?’ Our consistent directive is clear: do not cause disruption or complicate matters for anyone," PM Anwar Ibrahim, 25/03/2025.
17. “Unlike the Malaysia Hindu Sangam (MHS) or other Hindu NGOs, a statutory board would have the legal authority necessary to enforce regulations and manage disputes,” “A national HEB would not only provide legal clarity and administrative oversight but also ensure that Hindu religious and community interests are protected and managed effectively.” Ramasamy, 25/03/2025
18. "... religious buildings are important landmarks for our nation through its continued use by our people. There is no logic in relocating a religious building when that building is the heart of a community residing in its vicinity". - Dr. Mohd Tajuddin Rusdi
19. An agreement was reached with the temple committee to move the temple 50 meters to a new 4,000 sq ft location, replicating its current dimensions - 25/03/2025
20. Inspector-General of Police Razarudin Husain confirmed the arrest of independent preacher Zamri Vinoth, citing a Facebook post related to the Dewi Sri Pathrakaliamman temple relocation in Kuala Lumpur, which police allege threatened public peace - 27/03/2025.