Minister stopped Jakel's intention to sue temple, says company MD

Summary

• Jakel had considered suing temple after 11 years of unfruitful negotiation for its relocation from the company’s land.

• However, this was prevented after Zaliha advised the company to seek PM’s help.

• Jakel’s managing director thanks Anwar for facilitating an amicable solution.

The heirs to textile company Jakel Trading Sdn Bhd had mulled filing a lawsuit against the Dewi Sri Pathrakaliamman Temple committee after 11 years of negotiations to relocate from a plot of its land previously bought from Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL).

Jakel Group managing director Faroz Jakel, however, said the company did not follow through with its intentions following advice from Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Federal Territories) Dr Zaliha Mustafa.

“We waited for 11 years and wanted to take legal action against our neighbour (Dewi Sri Pathrakaliamman Temple) but were stopped by Zaliha who said this would become a major racial issue.

“She suggested that I meet directly with Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim,” said Faroz in his speech during the Madani Mosque groundbreaking ceremony at Lot 328, Jalan Munshi Abdullah off Masjid India.

Previously, rights group Lawyers for Liberty (LFL) had accused DBKL of selling the land to Jakel in 2014 without the temple’s knowledge.

However, Faroz today revealed that initial discussions for the development of the 12,142 sqft plot had started in 2009, but the final sale agreement was signed in 2014.

After the company purchased the land, Faroz said Jakel obtained necessary approvals to build a mosque - set to be a four-storey structure with a maximum capacity of 2,900 congregants, equipped with an elevator, escalator, garden and learning facilities.

“On June 17, 2021, the building plan approval was obtained from DBKL.

“This approval has also been renewed several times until today,” he added.

Issue resolved thanks to Anwar

Faroz also credited Anwar, who officiated the groundbreaking ceremony, for the government’s role in facilitating a relocation agreement with the temple.

“We have been patient and negotiating for 11 years. Alhamdulillah, finally you made it happen, you are the man.

“And for that, I extend my deepest thanks, not just for supporting us, but for supporting the Muslim community in this area.

“With the construction of this mosque, Anwar will be remembered forever. Without Anwar, we would not have this event,” he said.

Heritage preservation vs land owners’ rights

The Dewi Sri Pathrakaliamman Temple relocation issue also sparked a broader discussion on the rights of land owners, and the status of Hindu temples in Malaysia.

Advocates for the temple’s preservation cited its century-old history dating back to the British colonial era, while a vast majority of critics argued that the temple should move as it has no legal rights to the land.

The issue and subsequent heated debates erupted following LFL’s March 20 press conference held together with former Malaysian Bar president Ambiga Sreenevasan and the temple committee members.

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