A century-old Hindu temple in Kuala Lumpur is at the center of a heated dispute after plans were announced to relocate it to make way for a mosque. The Dewi Sri Pathrakaliamman Temple, located along Jalan Munshi Abdullah near Masjid India, has welcomed a temporary pause on its demolition by Kuala Lumpur City Hall (Dewan Bandaraya Kuala Lumpur – DBKL) but remains firm in its opposition to relocation. The temple, which predates Malaysia’s independence, faces potential relocation to make way for a proposed mosque on the same site, a plan initiated by landowner Jakel Trading Sdn Bhd.
Historical Significance And Religious Importance
Built in 1894, the Dewi Sri Pathrakaliamman Temple has stood for over a century, deeply rooted in the Masjid India community. The temple’s main deity, Dewi Sri Pathra Kaliamma Amma, is an integral part of the religious and cultural heritage of local Hindus. Over the decades, the temple has coexisted alongside various other religious and commercial establishments in the area.
The Dispute Over Relocation
The controversy arose after DBKL approved a proposal by landowner Jakel Trading Sdn Bhd to build a mosque on the land where the temple stands. Jakel Trading, which acquired the land in 2012, received approval in 2021 to construct a mosque named ‘Masjid Madani’ on the site. The company has offered to bear the costs of relocating the temple and has been in discussions with the temple committee for over a decade. However, the temple committee has rejected proposed relocation sites, including one near the National Heart Institute, citing concerns over distance, land size, and flood risk.
However, temple representatives argue that they were only informed in 2016 that they were occupying privately owned land, two years after it was sold to a developer. Lawyer N. Surendran, representing the temple, emphasized that the temple had originally moved to its current location in 2008 under instructions from DBKL. He asserted that DBKL, as an extension of the federal government, has a responsibility in this matter due to the land deal it facilitated almost a decade ago.
Concerns Over Relocation Site
DBKL has proposed multiple alternative sites, including one near the National Heart Institute, several kilometers away. However, temple representatives have rejected these options, citing concerns over land size, distance, and flood risks. Since 2020, following a Development Order issued to the landowner, the temple has faced increasing pressure to vacate the premises.
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Temple committee members, supported by prominent lawyers and activists, have raised concerns over religious rights and heritage preservation. Lawyers for Liberty director Zaid Malek suggested that an open-air parking lot adjacent to the temple, also owned by the developer, could be used for the mosque’s construction instead.
“If we were to demolish the temple, we would be disregarding the area’s identity, of which the temple has been part of for over a century. The easiest solution doesn’t require the temple’s demolition, as the proposed mosque can be built in the parking lot beside it,” he stated. He also pointed out that it would be inappropriate for a mosque to be built on the site of a demolished house of worship.
Prominent lawyer and activist Datuk Ambiga Sreenevasan expressed gratitude to DBKL for recognizing religious freedom under the Federal Constitution by pausing the demolition. However, she stressed that legal action would be a last resort, with the temple committee preferring to remain at the current site.
Broader Implications
Urimai chairman P. Ramasamy, a former Penang deputy chief minister, has strongly opposed the relocation, stating that the issue goes beyond a mere move—it is about historical preservation, religious rights, and responsible governance. He criticized DBKL for approving a mosque project on land occupied by a longstanding place of worship and questioned why alternative sites for the mosque were not considered.
“This is not just about one temple—it is about setting a precedent for how heritage and religious rights are treated in Malaysia. Hindu temples are not placed on wheels to be moved at the whims of the powerful,” Ramasamy stated. He emphasized that the temple’s historical and religious significance should be respected.
DBKL’s Assurances and Next Steps
In response to the backlash, DBKL has assured that it will not carry out demolition activities until the relocation process is finalized. It reiterated that the mosque’s construction was a proposal by the landowner and not the government. DBKL has also promised to uphold the principle of religious freedom as enshrined in the Federal Constitution.
Meanwhile, Jakel Trading’s head of legal and corporate communications, Aiman Dazuki, stated that the firm had delayed mosque construction despite receiving approval in 2021. He maintained that relocating the temple was necessary, as the 12,000-square-foot plot of land was not large enough to accommodate both places of worship.
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