KUALA LUMPUR – Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) has confirmed that the construction of a Hindu temple structure on a private lot near Jalan Rahmat off Jalan Ipoh was carried out without approval and has since been halted.
In a statement issued today, DBKL said enforcement notices had been issued under the Street, Drainage and Building Act 1974 and the Roads, Drains and Buildings Act (Act 267), including a Stop Work Order and a site sealing action, following its findings that the structure was being built without planning permission.
“Subsequent inspection at the site confirmed that construction activities for the temporary structure have been halted,” DBKL said.
DBKL added that discussions with the landowner on April 7 revealed the structure was intended only as a temporary space to house deities from a small existing Hindu temple during redevelopment works. The site is being transformed into a commercial complex.
“This temporary structure is for the private use of the landowner and not intended for public access,” it clarified.
The statement was issued by DBKL’s Corporate Planning Department.
The matter drew attention following a peaceful protest earlier today by a group of Muslim representatives, including preacher Firdaus Wong and academician Ridhuan Tee Abdullah, who gathered outside the Muslim Welfare Organisation of Malaysia’s (Perkim) headquarters opposite the site.
The protest was organised to oppose what they described as an unauthorised religious structure being built directly in front of the surau located within Perkim’s premises.
In a statement, Firdaus Wong said while MIC should be commended for building on their own land, the structure lacked official planning approval and was not included in the original redevelopment plan.
“This is not an issue of race or religion — this is about the rule of law,” he said, adding that MIC had previously proposed placing dark tinted film on the surau’s windows to obscure the view of the temple, which he criticised as avoiding the core issue.
“Whether you tint the glass or not, the problem is that it was built without DBKL’s approval.”
Firdaus also raised broader concerns over similar incidents involving places of worship allegedly built on public reserve land, and urged authorities to investigate and act consistently.
“Don’t reward those who violate the law while punishing those who try to uphold it,” he added.
DBKL said the landowner has given an assurance that the structure will be removed once it is no longer required and has pledged to comply with city regulations. The landowner has also been instructed to submit a formal planning application for any further work. – April 11, 2025