M’sia Hindu Sangam seeks to lead land deal

PETALING JAYA: The Malaysia Hindu Sangam ( MHS) says it will lead any negotiation to purchase the land the Sri Maha Mariamman Temple sits on should this option become a reality.

In a statement, MHS president Datuk R. S. Mohan Shan said since the Selangor government had clarified that it could not purchase the land, an option mooted is to buy the land using funds donated by philanthropist businessmen and the public.

Mohan called on the federal government to assist in getting the land valued before its conversion from agriculture to commercial purposes.

“MHS has offered to meet Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad to initiate negotiations. Business leaders and corporate bodies have offered to work with MHS to make this a reality,” he said yesterday.

He said business leaders and corporate bodies had requested that MHS lead the process as they raise funds for the land purchase.

“MHS is making all the necessary moves to meet the developer who owns the land ... (and to meet the) Prime Minister to initiate the negotiations with the support of all quarters,” he said.

It was reported that business tycoon Tan Sri Vincent Tan had proposed that a fund be set up to purchase the land.

Tan pledged RM500,000 to kick off the fund. Businessmen Tan Sri Barry Goh and Tan Sri David Kong also pledged RM500,000 each.

The 1.1-acre temple land is said to be valued at between RM14.37mil and RM15.33mil.