Johore Baru – His Majesty the Sultan of Johor on Sunday (21 January 2018) took on the role of peace maker in a bid to resolve the controversy following the demolition of an 80-year-old Hindu temple in Seri Alam recently.
Sultan Ibrahim Ibni Almarhum Sultan Iskandar, who met several representatives of the Dewa Shree Sivasakthi Shree Sinnakaruppar Devotees Association at Mados, Istana Bukit Pelangi this morning, said he would personally ensure a new site is made available expeditiously by the State Government for the rebuilding of the temple.
Also present at the meeting was the Tunku Temenggong of Johor, HH Tunku Idris Iskandar Al-Haj Ibni Sultan Ibrahim.
In another gesture of magnanimity, The Ruler and Tunku Idris offered a cash handout of RM100,000 and RM70,000 respectively to the temple committee to facilitate the cost of the relocation exercise.
His Majesty further urged all concerned to extend full cooperation to resolve this unfortunate incident amicably, adding that there was no need to blow the matter out of proportion.
Accompanying the temple representatives was Johor State Exco Member, R. Vidyananthan.
The temple had encroached into private land and the landlord had obtained a court order to take it down. After talks with the temple leaders failed, the authorities moved in to demolish the illegal structure on January 11.
News & Photos credit : His Majesty Sultan of Johor official page
