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KEDAH STATE, MALAYSIA, June 9, 2003: The MIC division here appealed to the Kedah government yesterday for land to relocate the Sri Muniswaran Temple in Jalan Kisap. The temple has been ordered demolished because it was renovated illegally. Division chairman T.Manogharan said the 80-year-old temple was one of the oldest Hindu temples on the island. “We understand that the temple was renovated without approval from the local authority, but we hope the state government would reconsider its decision,” Manogharan said. He also urged the state to provide funds to help them relocate, and that they needed two to three months for that. The Langkawi Municipal Council and district office had moved heavy machinery into the area following countless reminders to the temple committee to relocate because it had encroached onto a public road. According to Manogharan, the temple community apologized for not having the foresight to notify the local authorities of their need to extend the temple, saying they were ignorant of the process. He also thanked Kedah CPO Datuk Supian Ahmad who mediated for the community over the matter. Manogharan said the police had urged the community to relocate the temple in three days. The temple committee would speak to Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Syed Razak Syed Zain to provide a site for the temple relocation. In Alor Star, Syed Razak said the state had no intention to oppress the devotees. “But the building is too near the road, so it has to be demolished,” he said. Syed Razak said the state was willing to talk with the temple committee if they wanted land for a new temple. However, he said, they would have to apply for the new land.

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