Johor Sultan helps resolve temple issue

JOHOR BARU: Johor Ruler Sultan Ibrahim Ibni Almarhum Sultan Iskandar played the role of peacemaker in a bid to resolve the controversy following the recent demolition of a 80-year-old Hindu temple in Masai.

Sultan Ibrahim personally met with several representatives of the Dewa Shree Sivasakthi Shree Sinnakaruppar Devotees Association at Istana Bukit Pelangi here Sunday (Jan 21).

During the 30-minute meeting, Sultan Ibrahim said that he would personally ensure that a new site was made available by the state government for the rebuilding of the temple.

Also present at the meeting was Tunku Temenggong Johor Tunku Idris Al-Haj ibni Sultan Ibrahim.

His Majesty urged all concerned to extend full cooperation to resolve the matter amicably, adding that there was no need to blow it out of proportion.

Also present during the meeting was Johor Unity and Human Resources committee chairman R. Vidyananthan.

The temple had encroached into private land and the landlord had obtained a court order to take it down.

After talks with temple leaders failed, authorities moved in to demolish the illegal structure on Jan 11.

Vidyanathan, when contacted, said that the state has agreed to allocate 0.4ha for the new site, which is about 1.5km from the old site.

He said the state government including Johor Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin was committed in ensuring the issue was resolved amicably.

“I hope everyone will calm down and not speculate on the matter as we have done everything possible to resolve this issue,” he added.

The Johor Mentri Besar had earlier urged all parties to stop speculating and spreading inaccurate facts over the temple demolition.

He said the state government regretted the incident and sympathised with those affected.