After Hospital Uses Kuil Haram Saravanan Wants Pm To Ban Term

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MIC deputy president M Saravanan has called on Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim to direct all government agencies and departments to cease using the term “kuil haram” (illegal temples).
The former minister’s appeal follows a response from the Taiping Hospital management to a complaint regarding a place of worship located on its premises.
In an official reply titled “Maklumbalas PCB 965228 - Aduan Kuil Haram”, Taiping Hospital deputy director Arni Nadhirah Abdul Hadi stated that appropriate legal action would be taken.
Saravanan strongly objected to the language used, highlighting that many of these temples have existed for decades - long before the enactment of the National Land Code in 1965.
Historical, cultural value
He emphasised that branding such places of worship as “haram” is insensitive and disregards their historical and cultural significance.
“The majority of the temples existed from the time of the British and Japanese (rule),” he added in a letter that was delivered to the Prime Minister’s Office this morning.
“Historically, early Indian labourers built these temples in the areas where they worked. The government should not ignore the historical fact that these temples were originally constructed with the consent of colonial authorities and local leaders at the time,” he added.
The temple at Taiping HospitalSaravanan noted that after the fragmentation of the estates, responsibility for overseeing the temples shifted to local communities.
The MIC leader also pointed out that while these temples were initially located in remote and rural areas, urbanisation has since brought them into towns and cities.
Deeply hurtful term
“Labelling these places of worship as ‘kuil haram’ deeply hurts the sentiments of Hindus,” he stressed.
ADSThe existence of these temples came under the spotlight following the controversial relocation of the 130-year-old Dewi Sri Pathrakaliamman Temple in Kuala Lumpur, which was moved to make way for a mosque.
At the time, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim stated that the temple had been built on land without the consent of both its previous and current owners.
The relocation sparked mixed reactions, with some netizens focusing on the legal status of Hindu temples in Malaysia.
Dewi Sri Pathrakaliamman Temple in Kuala LumpurOn March 27, Anwar officiated the groundbreaking ceremony for the mosque in the contested location, describing it as a “victory”.
“Our victory is not one borne out of arrogance. This victory is because we were able to demonstrate the wisdom, strength, and nobility of Islam, not arrogance,” he said.
Last Saturday, Lawyers for Liberty (LFL) called on the prime minister and the government to defuse the controversy, asserting that they bear responsibility for the matter.
LFL executive director Zaid Malek also urged Anwar to refrain from using the term “illegal” when referring to houses of worship on disputed land. - Mkini

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