THERE is nothing controversial in the proposed development of a Hindu temple in Damansara Damai, Selangor, as the spot was already earmarked as a non-Muslim place of worship 20 years ago, the elected representative for the constituency said.

Bukit Lanjan assemblyman Elizabeth Wong said developers MK Land had reserved three lots of land in Damansara Damai for non-Muslim places of worship, and added the proposed development site of the temple was just one of it.

“When the developers (MK Land) planned to develop the area, they had put in a master plan to the state government as well as the Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ), where they had reserved three lots of land for non-Muslim place of worship.

“It is already there in the original master plan of Damansara Damai, which was done more than 20 years ago, even before the bulldozers moved in to excavate the land,” Wong told The Malaysian Insight.

The construction of a Hindu temple in the locality has become an issue recently in the Malay-dominated neighbourhood, with locals protesting against the temple site.

A group of house owners from the adjacent residential building, Impian Apartment, erected a banner reading “Perhatian, demi keselamatan dan keharmonian penduduk, kami membantah pembinaan kuil di Damansara Damai” (Attention, for the safety and harmony of the people, we object to the construction of a temple in Damansara Damai)

The photo of the banner was also shared on Facebook by Surau Al-Huda, located inside Impian Apartment, stating their objection was because majority of the residents in the area are not temple-goers.

They also said the construction of the temple will disrupt the peace and safety there.

The authorities, however, ordered that the banner be taken down. It was subsequently removed.

Wong, however, said the residents should not be making an issue of it as she claimed that property owners should be aware of the original allocation of land for non-Muslim places of worship there.

The current site granted for the proposed construction of the two-storey temple is on Lot 70260, Jalan PJU 10/1.

Wong said the temple committee, Dewi Sri Maha Mariamman Damansara Devotees Association, had lawfully applied for the land from the state government some 10 years ago and obtained approval to construct a temple.

Wong said this should not be turned into an issue, and that any problem has its solution. She also said there is a sizeable Indian community living in Damansara Damai.

She said issues like traffic congestion can be managed even with the temple in the vicinity.

“Traffic jams can be managed. MBPJ can make sure the development itself has adequate parking.

“Besides, there is also ample parking across the road in the community hall. When MBPJ built it, they said the parking can also be used by the public, aside from the ones using the hall,” she said.

Wong urged people to be respectful and tolerant towards others and hoped they are not swayed by the provocations.

“I believe the people of Selangor are intelligent. We have been living harmoniously with each other.

“So, don’t let a small group of people cause religious strife,” she added.

Lawful process

The temple committee members, meanwhile, said they had not breached any law by proposing to construct a temple at the said location.

Tharmendra Gopal, secretary of Dewi Sri Maha Mariamman Damansara Devotees Association, said they have followed all procedures and law in getting the approval for the construction of the temple.

“Our association was formed in 2009 and then we started applying to the state government to get a piece of land to build a temple.

“The current location is what was given by the state government. It was gazetted as a non-Muslim place of worship by the developers and in 2012, we got the approval to build a temple on the land.

“We are not like the others where we build the temple first and then ask for the land. We are doing everything according to the law and correct procedure,” he said.

Tharmendra said residents had earlier aired their grouses and objected to the construction in 2017, when the city council erected the proposed development notice board.

However, he said that the council, after reviewing the objections, still gave them the nod to proceed with the construction of the temple on the approved plot of land.

Tharmendra said the delay in construction of the temple was because of a few setbacks, including the Covid-19 pandemic, which required them to resubmit certain documentations.

“Some documents are time-sensitive, they have expiry dates.

“So, we had to re-submit some documents, meaning MBPJ will put up the construction board proposal and people can raise their objection, if any.

“This is the process. So, we are doing it according to the process and not bulldozing our way through.

“Recently, an officer from the city council contacted us and told us that there are new objections raised and said he will call us for a meeting, which we are ready to listen to,” he said.

Tharmendra also said that it was uncalled for to put up provocative banners, claiming it would only make matters worse.

He said the words used in the banner were sensitive and provocative, adding that it could spark racial tension.

He said that he had lodged a police report over the banner, which he believed was the reason for its removal.

Tharmendra said residents could channel their complaints to the council using the right procedures.

According to Tharmendra, there are about 2,000 Hindu families residing in Damansara Damai.

He said that they would need to travel about 7km to the nearest temple, which is located in Sri Damansara.

Tharmendra said that the committee is planning to build a Sivan temple in the area, which could cost up to RM2 million.

“From what we know, there is no Sivan temple around Sungai Buloh. That is why we decided to construct one here.

“Initial rough estimates are about RM2 million but we will build a small temple first when we get the approval, which we expect would be relatively reasonable.

“When we have the money, we might expand it according to the plan given to the council,” he added. – August 5, 2022.