GEORGE TOWN, 25 Aug  — The Penang Hindu Endowments Board (PHEB) should clarify the status of a Hindu temple in Batu Kawan following a notice issued by the Seberang Perai City Council (MBSP) directing the temple management to demolish its building.

Urimai secretary-general and former PHEB commissioner Satees Muniandy said he was informed that the notice was issued last Saturday.

He said the temple was believed to be among 10 Hindu temples or shrines relocated to land owned by PHEB during his tenure in the Penang state government.

“MBSP has the right to issue such a notice if the land is illegally occupied or if the building is situated on private land.

“However, the said temple is on PHEB’s land and MBSP has no business issuing such a notice,” he said in a statement today.

Satees said the current PHEB management should explain the temple's status, including whether ownership of the land had been transferred to any other party since the previous administration left the board in 2023.

He also questioned the position of PHEB chairman RSN Rayer, who had recently criticised the Perikatan Nasional (PN) government in Perlis over the demolition of a Hindu temple in Bukit Lagi, Kangar.

“At the same time, Rayer boasted that no temple would be touched in Penang.

“Perhaps the PHEB should explain the notice sent by MBSP to the Hindu temple in Batu Kawan,” he said.

Satees said that in matters involving the relocation of Hindu temples, MBSP should have consulted the Penang Development Corporation (PDC) to obtain a clear picture of the temple's status.

“Rather than responding unilaterally to the Hindu temple in Batu Kawan, MBSP should have consulted PHEB on the matter,” he said.

He called for the relevant authorities to clarify the land ownership and legal status of the temple to avoid confusion among the Hindu community.