PETALING JAYA: The Land Office and the Federal Territory Islamic Religious Council (MAIWP) have been urged to offer land for a temple at Taman Sri Kuching to relocate, said Tan Hoe Chieow, president of the Federation of Taoist Associations Malaysia.

MAIWP filed a case on January 9 in the Kuala Lumpur High Court to evict the temple built on land owned by the council.

The council named the Datuk Asai Worshippers Association and Taman Sri Kuching Welfare Association as defendants.

The council said the temple was occupying the land without approval and was seeking an eviction order from the court.

It also showed documents that the council was the owner of the land and that the land could only be used to build a surau for Muslims or a place to organize Islamic activities.

Tan said the temple at Taman Sri Kuching was an old issue which had dragged on for more than 20 years.

“The temple was built in a public park for local residents to worship. It has been requested to relocate for a long time,” he said.

Members of parliament and the Federation of Taoist Associations Malaysia have been asking help from the government on this matter.

“This is a place of worship for the local people. The temple authorities do not know where to relocate to,” he said.

Tan said MAIWP can discuss with the temple how to resolve this matter.

“A win-win solution would be for the government to provide a piece of land nearby for the temple to relocate, so that local residents can have a place to worship,” he said.