Kuala Lumpur : On his social media posting today (Sunday, March 23), Datuk A.Vaithilingam, the former president of Malaysian Hindu Sangam refuted claims that the Devi Sri Pathirakaliamman Temple in Jalan Masjid India, was relocated in 2008. He also reiterated that the temple has been in its present location since 1947.
Recently while speaking to reporters even Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim had said that “the temple was not more than 100 years old as claimed by some parties and it was only relocated to the present venue in 2008.”
“This is not true. I was in the Committee appointed by the then Mayor of DBKL on the Temple issues and we had a series of meetings chaired by Deputy Director General of DBKL. Many problems of temples were solved. We discussed this temple (Devi Sri Pathirakaliamman Temple) issue and were told that a neighbouring Chinese developer complained asking the temple to make way for the widening of the road. Later we went there with DBKL officials and discussed with the temple head Kanmani Gurukal. The developer was not there. After a few more visits the temple agreed to give way to about 2 or 3 feet of temple land along the side of the road. Earlier an alternate site along the bank of the river in the vicinity was proposed but was rejected because the site was at a site which was a regular flood-prone area. The sacrifice made by the temple for some roadworks solved the situation!” Vaithialingam explained.
“Then DBKL approved the plan to renovate the temple. Subsequently, a Kumbabhishegam was held, and I was present at the ceremony. Tun Samyvellu was also present. So, the temple was relocated to the present place is not true. It has always been there! I have seen this temple at the same venue since my school days in 1947!” Vaithialingam further said on his social media posting.
