The Batu Caves temple looks set to keep its newly painted steps despite being at risk of losing its national heritage status.  

As The Star reported, Batu Caves Sri Mahamariamman Temple Devasthanam committee chairperson R Nadarajah claimed that the temple does not need the heritage status.

Nadarajah noted that the National Heritage Department had not provided the temple with any grants for maintenance.

"Unesco (The United Nations Educational, Science and Cultural Organisation) has deemed Batu Caves unfit for their heritage list. We do not need the heritage status.

“If the department can maintain the area, we do not need to paint it. It is ridiculous for us to seek the department’s permission to paint the steps.

“We paint the steps every year. We clean and beautify the area to attract tourists,” he was quoted as saying after the consecration ceremony yesterday.

Nadarajah was presumably referring to reports in 2013 that the National Heritage Department had no plans to nominate Batu Caves for Unesco World Heritage Site status, as it did not meet the necessary criteria. 

The temple, however, was identified in 2007 as a national heritage building by the National Heritage Department. 

According to Nadarajah, the temple committee has received mostly positive feedback since the painting of the steps – with colours said to be inspired by the peacock – was completed two weeks ago. 

No approval

On Aug 29, The Star reported that the temple was at risk of being delisted as a national heritage site due to the renovation and paint job that was carried out without its approval.

The report also stated that no approval was given by Selayang Municipal Council (MPS).

Nadarajah (photo), however, claimed that the MPS had never approved any of the temple’s past applications.

“We spent a lot of money and submitted all the documents and technical reports to legalise the 20 structures and buildings in and around Batu Caves. 

"We are still waiting for a response after years, but we have received none so far."

Nadarajah was also quoted as saying that the temple committee also built a management office building despite the failure of MPS to approve the application. 

"It was not our intention to go ahead with the project without MPS’s permission, but we are in dire need of the facility.

"Similarly, we have filed the application to build a cultural arts centre which doubles up as a hall with the capacity of 3,000 people. This is our next big project as we have the funds."

On the newly repainted steps, Nadarajah revealed that RM6.5 million was spent for the renovation and paint works in conjunction with the consecration ceremony.

Photos of the colourful steps have gone viral among locals but also foreign visitors alike.