KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA, November 29, 2006: The following letter was sent by President A. Vaithilingam, Malaysian Hindu Sangam, to Y.B. Datuk Mustapa bin Mohamed, Malaysian Minister of High Education:
“The Malaysia Hindu Sangam notes with great regret the attitude of University Technology Malaysia, Skudai for its attempts to destroy a more than 100 year old Sri Muthu Mariamman Temple of the former Linden Estate in Skudai. This temple was built by the sweat and toil of the lowly paid plantation workers of the Linden Estate all with the permission of the then estate owners. The temple has since then been the place of worship of the workers, most of whom are low income group workers.
While it is true that the Ministry of Education acquired the land for UTM, the authorities were fully aware that the very old temple existed in the land with the Hindus still patronizing the temple. Why was there no consideration given to the devotees by the authorities? Instead the UTM has got a court order to demolish the temple and this in spite of the fact that there are still former Linden Estate worshippers and the new hundreds of Hindu UTM students and staff. Where is the consideration of tolerance, understanding and fair play? After all the temple is not in the heart of the campus. It is at one edge of the campus. There is no interference of embarrassment to non-Hindus. Y.B Menteri, it must be noted that many institutions and departments of the government have places of worship allowed by employers of the developers of the then Malaya. Why must the UTM be so intolerant when other authorities are more considerate?
We appeal to the Honorable Minister to intervene and consider the plight of Hindu Citizens who have contributed so much to the development of Malaysia. Please allow this ancient temple to remain in the very place where there are also Hindu students in UTM. Y.B Menteri, the Malaysian Hindus look upon you for a fair and just decision.”