THE Seafield Sri Maha Mariamman temple was offered an alternative site in Persiaran Harmoni, Putra Heights, located some 2.7km away from its present location in Subang Jaya.

While the Sri Maha Mariamman temple fought the move, the Sri Maha Kaliamman temple next door took up the offer to relocate. That was seven years ago.

Both the temples dealt with the same developer – One City Development Sdn Bhd – and both were offered the same deal at the same alternate site.

The Malaysian Insight visited the new site yesterday and was told by the Sri Maha Kaliamman temple committee that they have had no issues since they relocated seven years ago.

Sri Maha Kaliamman temple committee chairman Ananthan Ramachandran told The Malaysian Insight that since relocating, the number of devotees to the temple has increased.

“We have had no issues and we are happy with this new location,” Ananthan said.

“We were given the land by the developer in 2010 and we moved in 2011. They (developer) also built the temple structure and we brought the deities from our old temple here.”

Ananthan also said that the devotees from the old temple in Subang Jaya now worship at this new site.

“Our devotees still come here. Additionally, people from Putra Heights, Alam Megah and USJ also come to our temple,” he said.

The developer last week gave the Sri Maha Mariamman temple an eviction notice to vacate the premise as per their agreed deal. However, the temple devotees refused to budge.

Early on Monday morning, about 50 masked men stormed the temple to secure it for the developer. Following that, thousands of devotees turned up and riots ensued with several people getting injured, including a fireman, and a number of cars torched.

Yesterday, Attorney-General Tommy Thomas said he can help resolve the land dispute between the Sri Maha Mariamman temple and the developer.

In the midst of all this, the temple has now obtained an interim injunction until the disposal of the application for proper injunction in January 11 next year.

On the alternate site offered by the developer to Sri Maha Mariamman temple in Putra Heights, a small structure has been built to temporarily place the deities from the main temple. This was funded by the developer.

Some residents living around Persiaran Harmoni said they have no issues having another temple in the vicinity.

Putra Heights resident Dr Cheryl May, 27, said she doesn’t mind if another temple relocates to the area.

“I have no qualms if another temple relocates here. All races should have their own place of worship,” she said.

A law student, identified only as Wong said that temple will not affect her at all.

“I think it is fine. However, if people want to make a point they shouldn’t resort to rioting but should be negotiating with the relevant authorities,” she said referring to the incident at the Sri Maha Mariamman temple.

The present committee of the Sri Maha Mariamman temple is refusing to move to the alternate site despite there being a consent judgment as they feel the present place has historical and heritage value. They also claim the temple has been around for 147 years.

Indian ministers from the Pakatan Harapan government has assured the committee that they will find a solution for the temple to remain in its present site despite the land belonging to the developer, which had also paid compensation and offered the alternate land for the temple. – December 1, 2018.