It has now emerged to be a case of 'one temple too many' in Tambak Paya Village in Malacca.

State Executive Councillor R Raghavan explained that there were already 20 to 25 family temples in the village and complaints were received about the Sri Periyachi temple which was renovated several months ago without approval from the city council.

"The construction commenced without any approval from the authorities, and other villagers have also started complaining because the village already has a big temple," he told Malaysiakini in a telephone interview today.

Raghavan asserted that the government and MIC, of which he is Malacca chief, are not against building temples, but it is not acceptable if the temple causes discomfort to others.

"Moreover, many families in the village already have their own 'family temples', and the number of these temples is bewteen 20 to 25," he said.

"If the government allows one such small temple to be extended, every one would start extending their temples," he explained.

He also urged the Sri Peryachi temple caretakers to consider the feelings of other villagers, especially those of other religions because the temple stands right in the middle of the village.

Not talking to each other

Earlier, Raghavan dismissed claims that he did not do anything to stop the impending demolition of the renovated structure of the Sri Periyachi temple

"The temple committee was initially given only a two-week deadline to relocate and demolish the structure of the temple. After I persuaded the mayor, they were given two months to relocate," said Raghavan.

"After the two-month period ended last Sunday, they appealed again and were given another two-week extension," he said.

Raghavan explained that he had also brought the matter to the state exco meeting and it was decided that it is improper to build a new temple in the village that already has a temple.

"Also, I visited the temple and suggested that they speak to the other (Sri Maha Mariamman) temple, but they are reluctant to do so," he said, adding that Sri Maha Mariamman temple committee members were willing to discuss the matter.

Explaining the misunderstanding between Sri Periyachi temple and Maha Mariamman temple, Raghavan said: "Sri Periyachi temple priest was with Maha Mariamman temple, but he left the temple after some misunderstandings."

Soon after that, said Raghavan, the priest approached villager M Nadarajan and persuaded him to renovate his family temple into a bigger temple that could accommodate more devotees.

This was what precipitated the problem today.

Commenting on banners placed by Umno Youth in the temple vicinity, Raghavan said: "The banners do not indicate that Umno Youth is threatening the temple committee members."

"The banners do not mention any names. I asked Umno and they assured that it is not meant to threaten anyone."

Very sensitive issue

Meanwhile, Malacca City Mayor Zaini Mohd Noor, when contacted, stressed that the matter is a very sensitive issue as it involves relationship between different races in the village.

"If the matter is not handled carefully and effectively, we fear it may bring about racial tension in the country," said Zaini.

The officials of the 16-year-old Sri Maha Periyachi Amman temple was given a deadline until last Sunday by the Malacca City Council to demolish the temple's renovated strucrure.

The demolition was ordered on the grounds that the temple was extended without approval and that this has caused discomfort among Malay villagers.

However, local authorities relaxed a little and gave a two-week extension to the deadline following appeals by the temple caretakers and devotees.

Meanwhile, Tambak Paya Umno Youth have placed banners written in Bahasa Malaysia in the temple vicinity reading "Don't test our patience" and "Tear down this unlawful temple".

On Sunday, special prayers were held in the temple. Some 20 PKR members of all races, led by Tambak Paya division head Yusof Abdullah attended the function.

Some 344 devotees, in a desperate attempt to save the temple, have signed a petition addressed to the media, requesting publicity to stop the demolition.