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PARTI Se-Islam Malaysia (PAS) has voiced its support for Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s statement regarding the relocation of the Dewi Sri Pathrakaliamman temple in Jalan Masjid India, Kuala Lumpur, asserting that the rule of law must be upheld regardless of the type of structure or its intended use.
PAS Information Chief Ahmad Fadhli Shaari commended Anwar’s stance, declaring that the Prime Minister’s position was correct and deserved backing.
He said any illegal construction on land that belongs to another party must be demolished, irrespective of its purpose.
“Any illegal structure on land owned by others has no choice but to be demolished. This is not a religious issue but a matter of the rule of law. I hope this type of issue will not arise again in the future,” he said in a statement shared on Facebook on Tuesday.
The statement from Ahmad Fadhli followed a report that quoted Anwar Ibrahim as saying, “...it must be relocated. This is not the first place of worship to be moved or demolished for breaking the law.”
The issue revolves around a temple dedicated to Dewi Sri Pathrakaliamman, located near Jalan Masjid India, which has become a point of contention in the local community.
The land on which the temple stands was originally donated by the late Mohamed Jakel Ahmad, the founder of Jakel, for the purpose of constructing a mosque to cater to the needs of the local Muslim community.
Aiman Dazuki, the Legal and Corporate Communications Chief of Jakel Trading Sdn Bhd, explained that the decision to relocate the temple was made to make space for the construction of the mosque.
However, supporters of the temple’s preservation have suggested alternative locations for the mosque’s construction, in an effort to safeguard the temple from being moved.
The matter highlights a delicate balancing act between maintaining religious harmony and adhering to the rule of law, with both the Prime Minister and PAS calling for legal processes to take precedence in ensuring that land is used according to its intended purpose. – March 25, 2025