YOURSAY | ’This is the season for speaking the truth, surely.’
COMMENT | DBKL can defuse temple storm with truthfulness
Drkam: So, let’s get this straight - the temple has been standing tall for over 130 years, minding its own business, with Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) even providing water and electricity.
But somehow, in 2014, poof!
The land it sits on magically ends up with Jakel Trading Sdn Bhd, and the temple wasn’t even invited to the transaction party.
If there was a legitimate sale, surely there’d be some receipts, right?
Fast-forward to today, and after failed negotiations to move the temple for Masjid Madani’s construction, there’s now an unofficial “let’s just relocate it” plea.
But here’s the kicker - the temple was never illegal in the first place! The whole “it’s an illegal structure” argument is just a convenient mask for, well... less-than-noble intentions.
And let’s not forget MIC’s legendary lack of urgency. MIC deputy president M Saravanan’s sudden concern is great and all, but where was this energy years ago?
MIC has been in government for ages, yet somehow, they never secured the temple’s land as a non-Muslim house of worship.
Even the late S Samy Vellu, despite his temple donations, didn’t make it happen.
So now, Hindus and the public have every right to ask - why the delay?
If DBKL had done the fair and logical thing by gazetting the land properly, we wouldn’t be having this ridiculous debate.
Instead, we’ve got a temple that stood the test of time… but now has to fight off modern-day land shenanigans.
Koel: DBKL, the ball is in your court here. As the old saying goes: “Speak the truth and shame the Devil.”
This is the season for speaking the truth, surely.
In addition to the process of this sale that appears to have been conducted in secrecy, Jakel's involvement here has to be clarified.
How did they become a major player in this land in 2014 over the temple?
How much did they pay? How did they raise the money needed for this?
Sad Malaysian: Sigh. The thing here is that there could have been ulterior motives facilitated by legalised methods used at the time.
If DBKL and other authorities were to later admit any wrongdoing, all past transactions could be challenged by many parties, which would throw a spanner on the entity's conduct with the public in future.
Furthermore, there is an unwritten practice that current political leaders should avoid disturbing “past practices” by previous political heads in return for “harmony”, especially when the current ones themselves have baggage that is known only in their circles.
They will continue to hesitate, and delay whatever problems are highlighted in the press as backroom scenes will probably dictate if such problems are something that can be removed quietly.
Indian temples have been an issue for a long time, and they have never quite resolved them. Why?
The issue is cumbersome, from a legal standpoint, given the construction was done way back in colonial days, and the Indian community is simply too small and powerless to mean anything from a political and economic standpoint.
Hence, the community is easily subjected to bullying and insults that you see in the media nowadays.
People don't quite bother to respond to it immediately unless it comes to elections where their presence can steer the results, especially when the majority are now split between religious and political views.
This is the fate all minorities will face as their population grows and their extreme factions gain favour amongst the population with whatever they do.
Salvage Malaysia: The biggest problem our government has, regardless of whether it’s under BN, Perikatan Nasional or Pakatan Harapan, is that they fail miserably in crisis management.
They just come and make the stupidest excuse and statement, and they think their job is done.
That’s why it creates that trust deficit because people can only shake their heads in amazement at how ridiculous the excuse is.
Even if you need a white lie, make sure that it sounds reasonable and convincing.
Sincere01: The root cause of these issues is usually not dealt with. Politicians would step in and announce there would be an amicable solution.
Behind the scenes, the observed issue is seen to be resolved but the underlying rot of the agencies that let it happen remains rotten.
The people must demand the truth and clean up the rot in DBKL and other local authorities. Leaving it to the politicians will not address the root of the problems.
Falcon: Veteran journalist R Nadeswaran, “old tired horses” like us, have been here before.
The plain truth is, that the way Malaysia has been administered by politicians and agencies, they can’t afford the truth.
MarioT: In the spirit of Ramadan and the joyous festival of Hari Raya Aidilfitri, let there prevail friendship, peace and goodwill of give and take.
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim should lead the way to show that we are all Malaysians and that mutual respect must be maintained at all times.
Showing kindness and humility is deeply embedded in every religious teaching.
Let it be displayed in a way of saying, we can co-exist in harmony with each other.
Religion does not need law and authority but only human feelings of understanding and accepting our differences.
I am sure good sense will prevail in this tussle. Legality and rights can be put aside for a harmonious settlement.
Retired2009: It would be good, if from now on, that all illegal tenants on other legally owned properties, both government and private, must be dealt with accordingly to avoid this kind of issue happening again.
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