As some may remember, I held a working visit last month to the Sri Nagoor Kaliamman Temple situated at the outskirts of Putrajaya. The Sri Nagoor Kaliamman Temple has been located on its present site since the 1940s. It serves as a house of worship for local residents of the Hindu faith from surrounding areas. 

In 1997, the Express Rail Link (ERL) project was developed by the federal government. This project resulted in the Sri Nagoor Kaliamman Temple coming within the rail alignment of the ERL. As a consequence, the said temple was relocated not too far away from its original site, but it in turn fell within the Right of Way of the ERL project.

I held a meeting in Putrajaya earlier today to explore means to resolve this issue. In attendance were Dato’ Jana Santhiran Muniayan, Secretary-General of the Ministry of Transport, Dr. Punitha Silivarajoo, Deputy Director-General of the Legal Affairs Division of the Prime Minister’s Department who joined us virtually from Canada, senior officers from the Department of the Director-General of Lands and Mines, Selangor Lands and Mines Office, Sepang District and Lands Office, Express Railway Link Sdn Bhd (ERL) and the Chairman of the Sri Nagoor Kaliamman Temple, Mr. Arunasalam. 

We discussed several issues including history of ownership of the land and how to move forward in resolving this issue. I am happy to share that the meeting was indeed fruitful and certain actions have been identified to be taken by the relevant agencies concerned. A follow-up meeting will be held next month, which I will chair, as we give time to the said agencies to carry out their tasks. 

I hope to share more positive updates on this matter next month.