Seafield temple relocation postponed to after Deepavali following standoff with protesters

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PETALING JAYA (Oct 26): Amidst protests at the Seafield Sri Maha Mariamman Temple in USJ Subang Jaya, Selangor, the developer has agreed to postpone the temple relocation to after Deepavali, until Nov 22. 

The Star reports that Sungai Buloh MP R. Sivarasa said that the management of the temple will be undertaken by Seafield Temple Taskforce leader S. Ramaji, and said that Selangor Mentri Besar Amiruddin Shaari will hold a meeting with all parties.

In a six-hour standoff between police officers and temple devotees,the devotees shielded the central deity whilst others stood guard. Facebook videos of the protest show that the temple gates were shut, and the shutters to the deity were pulled down. 

Hunger strikers could be seen by the main temple gate.

The daily reports that Malaysian Indian Education Transformation Association chairman Elangovan Annamalai said the temple committee had planned to move the main deity to the new temple grounds some 2.7km away.

In a bus brought in by the developer, a two hour discussion took place, involving Ramaji, Sivasara, Seafield temple management committee president Chellappa L. Kalimuthu, Sentosa state assemblyman G. Gunaraj, the leader of the protest M. Nagaraju, the developer from One City, Malaysian Hindu Sangam (MHS) president Datuk Mohan Shan and lawyers.

Sivarasa was quoted as saying that the planned meeting with the Selangor MB will include the developer, the temple taskforce, Gunaraj, Klang MP Charles Santiago and himself.

Mohan Shan later said he would resign as president of the MHS should anything happen to the temple before November 22, which was the agreed upon deadline.

Three devotees who were hunger striking refuse to end their fast until the MB meets with them.

The daily reports that an estimated 500 people gathered early today, as the police attempted to enter the temple using a court order that ruled in favour of the developer and the temple’s relocation.

As the Mentri Besar has yet to meet with the affected parties, Gunaraj stepped in to ask for a grace period.