Selangor : Hindu organisations from different parts of the world are now urging Malaysia to allow transfer of land for relocation of Sri Maha Mariamman Ladang Baemar (Saujana Impian) Temple in Kajang (Selangor, Malaysia).
According to reports, Temple has been denied the land transfer because the plot was too big exceeding the limit of land for non-Muslim places of worship of 10,000 square feet.
Hindu statesman Rajan Zed, in a statement in Nevada (USA) recently urged Malaysian Prime Minister Dato’ Sri Mohd Najib bin Tun Abdul Razak ([email protected]), Selangor Chief Minister Dato’ Seri Mohamed Azmin Bin Ali ([email protected]), Kajang Municipal Council President Tuan Mohd Sayuthi bin Bakar ([email protected]) and Kajang Municipal Council members to revisit the issue.
Why this 10,000 square feet limit on a Hindu temple? Zed, who is President of Universal Society of Hinduism, asked. The whole issue needed to be relooked into so that there were no further delays for the Temple going forward.
Rajan Zed noted that Article 11 of the Malaysia Federal Constitution granted freedom of religion and Article 11(3) stated: Every religious group has the right—to manage its own religious affairs; to establish and maintain institutions for religious or charitable purposes; and to acquire and own property and hold and administer it in accordance with law.
We hope that Kajang Municipal Council would arrive at an amicable solution on this issue in view of its “Objective” of commitment to provide “responsible municipal management services”, Zed adds.
Rajan Zed says that temples play an effective role in Hindu communities as it is important to pass on Hindu spirituality, concepts and traditions to coming generations amidst so many distractions in the consumerist society.
Kajang, settled in 1709 and famous for its sate, has reportedly substantial population of Hindus. Notable people associated with Kajang include actress Nora Danish, singer Ning Baizura and football player K. Reuben.
In an appeal to the concerned Malay authorities as made by Upananda Brahmachari for the Hindu Existence Forum, it has been pointed out that the Hindu roots in Malaysia is very much traditional and Hindus in Malaysia cannot be deprived of their religious rights anyway even in the loopholes of any easy administrative restriction.
Brahmachari urged the PM Malaysia, CM Selangor and Kajang MCP to dispose the matter by giving transfer rights of lands and other facilities for the Sri Maha Mariamman Ladang Baemar (Saujana Impian) Temple in Kajang to restore the religious rights of Hindus there.
