The Selangor government has identified a new location to relocate a 150-year-old Hindu temple from Section 19 in Shah Alam.

The new site identified by the state government will be in Section 23 but believed to be some distance away from the original location.

The new site had to be chosen because residents of Section 23 have protested against having the temple in their neighbourhood.

As a result of the protest, the state government on Saturday agreed to look for a new location.

NONE Today, a statement from the menteri besar's office stated that a new location has been found.

"This (new) location is more strategic," said the statement.

"The state government will inform and hold a meeting with the temple committee in regard to this new site. We are concerned about this issue and will get the best solution for the people," it added.

The site was identified during a sesi turun padang attended by the Menteri Besar Abdul Khalid Ibrahim, state exco and Batu Tiga assemblyperson Rodziah Ismail and Shah Alam MP Khalid Samad.

Mayor Mazalan Md Noor and state development corporation (PKNS) head Othman Omar also attended the session this morning.

The proposal came up after they visited a few sites in sections 18, 19, 20 and 23 in Shah Alam.

No comment from residents' rep

In an immediate reaction, Hindu religious umbrella body Malaysian Hindu Sangam said it will not have any objections if the new site is more strategic and suitable for the temple.

"However, we still need to have a look at the new site for ourselves, only then will we come to an agreement," said its president S Mohan.

For the temple committee's chairperson R Selvakumaran, he said he would welcome any decision by the state government.

"But we still need to have a look at the site first and see whether it is suitable or not...also we need to get the (feedbacks) from the residents (to see if they agree)," he said.

Meanwhile, Section 23 action committee president Mahyuddin Manaf told Malaysiakini that they have not been informed of the latest development.

"They have to let us know about the decision because the majority (of the residents) do not want any temple at all in this neighbourhood," he said.

"But during the dialogue last Saturday, there were also some residents who agreed the temple being relocated here but a bit further from the residential area. So I would not want to comment much."