KUALA LUMPUR, March 20: Textile retailers, Jakel Tading Sdn Bhd, who own a land that houses a pre-Merdeka Hindu temple in the heart of the city, today refuted claims in the social media that a mosque will be built in the place of the existing Dewi Sri Pathrakaliamman temple.
At a press conference to explain their part of an ongoing controversy surrounding the purchase of the land and renovation plans, including a groundbreaking ceremony end of the month, Jakel’s head of legal and corporate communications Aiman Dazuki said the company was still negotiating with the temple authorities on an alternative piece of land for the temple.
“We are greatly and acutely aware of the religious sensitivies surrounding the temple issue and we will continue to do our best that the transfer of the temple is properly sorted before doing anything. A groundbreaking cermony for our building has been planned but it will be next to the temple and not at the temple site,” Aiman said.
“Nothing will be done to the temple until all the matters are sorted out amicably,” he said, adding Jakel which had customers accross all races, greatly respected the cultures and religions of the country and would not do anything to offend the people.
Aiman said the company has been negotiating with the temple committee for over 10 years since its purchase of the land from Dewan Bandaraya Kuala Lumpur (KL City Hall). He also said Jakel, which has a mall accross the temple, had cordial relations with the temple committee.
To a question on whether Jakel was aware that it will be erasing the history of a temple that had reportedly existed in the area for 130 years, Aiman said the temple had been cited as “temporary” during its sale by DBKL.
To a question on whether all avenues had been explored to retain the temple at the current spot in line with its renovations, Aiman said the land area was too small to accommodate such a plan.
To a question, that if the temple is transferred, a demolition would take place ultimately, Aiman declined to comment. He, however, earlier said in the event of a transfer, all religious ceremonies and the temple rites will be done accordingly.
He also appealed to the people not to create disharmony by putting out negative narrations on the matter. He also said that talks that a mosque will be built in place of the temple was the work of some irresponsible parties.
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