PETALING JAYA: News that RM2 million has already been pledged towards the ‘Save Seafield Temple Fund’ so far, brought some cheer to the management and devotees gathered at the Sri Maha Mariamman Hindu temple in USJ 25 today.
The news was greeted with loud applause when Berjaya Group Founder Tan Sri Vincent Tan announced that the amount had been reached with a RM500,000 donation pledged by businessman Datuk Anathkumar Alagu.
Another RM1.5 million had been pledged by Tan, who started the ball rolling by pledging RM500,000 on Friday, and was almost immediately joined by Tan Sri Barry Goh who previously headed MCT Bhd and Nirvana Group founder Tan Sri David Kong, both of whom had matched his donation.
Tan, who had mooted the crowdfunding initiative to buy the land on which the temple stands from the landowner, visited the temple this evening.
Speaking at a press conference together with Water, Land and Natural Resources Dr Xavier Jayakumar, Tan said he decided to step in to raise funds and assist in the negotiations, as he was disturbed by the hostility and violence that followed a court order on the temple’s relocation.
“This should not be happening in our peaceful country Malaysia. We of all different races have co-existed for so long.
“The landowner and majority shareholder is a Philippines based company called Ayala Corporation. They own 66% of the land. They are a very respectable company and I understand are very charitable and do a lot of CSR (corporate social responsibility) projects.
“So when the bosses know the situation is like this, I am sure they will come up with some good solutions. We will discuss matters with them and wait for their decision. Perhaps they will give us a discount on the sale of the land or even give it away,“ he added.
Tan also pledged to donate RM50,000 to the 24-year-old fireman Muhammad Adib Mohd Kassim, who was severely injured after being assaulted by protestors at the temple early on Monday last week.
“I hope they will forgive the people responsible, and God willing, Adib will fully recover with time and medical treatment and be able to resume his duties as a fireman,“ he said, adding he was relieved that to hear that Muhammad Adib had regained consciousness and was showing positive signs of recovery.
“Please don’t quarrel or fight. Why do we need to fight? Malaysia is our country. It’s a good country. We are under a new government now and have a great prime minister who works so hard at the age of 93,“ he said after meeting with the temple’s task force committee on the relocation.
Meanwhile, Xavier said the rule of law still applies to the case and that there was a court order on the eviction of the temple.
“The court order still stands and this should not set a precedence to other temples in a similar situation in future. We will be enacting laws on this.
“Only Ayala is in a position to drop the court case. As for now, the temple will not be touched,“ he added.
However, he said discussions will be held with the landowner, who are prepared to hear out proposals and suggestions.
“We are in touch with them and there are some technicalities to be sorted out,“ said Xavier, who lauded the initiative of Tan and other wellwishers to purchase the land to keep the temple as it is.
Pertubuhan Pusat Aduan Rakyat Malaysia President Datuk A. Chandrakumanan, who is a member of the temple’s task force, expressed the hope that more people will come forward to contribute towards the fund so that the temple will remain at its current location for good.
