KUALA LUMPUR — The Dewi Sri Pathrakaliamman temple in the Jalan Masjid India area will be relocated 50m away from its present site, where a mosque will be built, Prime Minister’s Department (Federal Territories), Datuk Seri Dr Zaliha Mustafa said today.
The temple’s new site will cover an area of 4,000 square feet, equivalent to the size of the existing site.
Zaliha said this was agreed to after discussions involving various parties, including the temple authorities.
Speaking at a press conference after a meeting with the temple representatives today, she said the new site is part of Lot PT 95, Section 40, Mukim Bandar Kuala Lumpur.
“The development of this new site will be subject to the applicable development conditions. The temple authorities have also agreed to this arrangement.
“The government also reiterates its assurance that no demolition will take place at the existing temple structure. The temple will be allowed to continue operating as usual until the relocation process is fully completed in a harmonious environment,” she said after the meeting at the Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) earlier.
Bernama meanwhile reports temple secretary Kartik Gunaseelan stating that the house of worship’s management had agreed with the relocation after a separate discussion with authorities yesterday.
“We are grateful to the minister, the elected representatives, and other authorities who helped facilitate this resolution.
“The new site is located nearby, juts within the Jalan Masjid India area, and is suitable as an alternative location,” he said in a statement today.
Kaarthik added that the committee is currently finalising some technical aspects in a meeting with the Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) this afternoon, and an official announcement will be made later.
The rush to find a resolution comes ahead of a groundbreaking ceremony for the mosque at the temple site this Thursday (March 27) to be attended by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
Earlier today, Anwar stated he would attend the groundbreaking ceremony, affirming the need for a new mosque in the area as nearby ones have reached full capacity.
He said approval for the mosque was given in 2019, and the green light for its construction, in 2021.
The temple’s current site is on land that belongs to Jakel Trading Sdn Bhd, which bought the plot from DBKL in 2014.
Lawyers speaking for the temple committee had last week questioned the lack of disclosure about the sale as the temple management was kept in the dark.
The issue has stirred emotions and debate over the legality of the 130-year-old temple, and why DBKL had not offered to sell the land to the temple management.
Jakel Trading and the temple management were asked to negotiate the matter, facilitated by DBKL. – March 25, 2025