FIVE Chinese temples and a Hindu temple, located at Kampung Sungai Dua Bukit in Sungai Nibong, have been given early occupancy of their new plot prior to getting the temporary occupancy licence (TOL).
This was made possible by the intervention of Batu Uban assemblyman A. Kumaresan.
Early this year, these houses of worship were told by the federal Land and Mines Department to vacate the land to make way for a police headquarters’ project.
According to Kumaresan, the process to get the TOL is tedious and will actually take more than five months.
“To apply for the TOL, the temples need to make amendments to their constitutions, such as the names of temple trustees as well as their assets and submit to the Registrar of Societies (ROS).
“Only when the temples have the TOL can they proceed with works such as fundraising and application for utilities.
“The whole process might take more than five months and moreover with the Covid-19 situation, the ROS has limited its operating hours.
“So, that is why I wrote in a letter to the district office to allow the temples to enter the site before they officially receive the TOL,’’ Kumaresan said when he visited the site today.
Kumaresan said the new plot given to the concerned temples belongs to the state government.
“After a series of discussion with Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow and various authorities, such as the Land office, and Home Ministry, we managed to acquire a state land for these temples.
“It is located just beside the police headquarters’ project site. The state government itself has agreed to help relocate the temples.
“The temples are also eligible to apply for a maximum of RM50,000 from the RIBI (non-Islamic houses of worship) fund,’’ he added.
Meanwhile, Bayan Baru MP Sim Tze Tzin commended Kumaresan for his proactive steps to assist in the relocation of the Kampung Sungai Dua Bukit houses of worship.
Also present were the six representatives from the respective temples.
They were Persatuan Penganut Dewa Hean Poh Tean chairman Beng Teong Eng, Persatuan Penganut Dewa Chi Yin Guan Dou Mu Gong assistant secretary Chan Teik Kuan , Persatuan Dewa Tai Hoo Tian Tua Gee Yeh Peh chairman Tan Hock Chye, Persatuan Dewa Tai Seng Keong chairman Tan Ah Sean, Persatuan Dewa Koay Seng Ong chairman Tan Tiang Choon and Deva Sri Muniswarar Temple member A. Balakrishnan
Story & Pix Tanushalini Moroter