Leong with DBKL Tun Razak city branch officer Asyqoh Yusuf checking the cracks on the temple wall. — LOW BOON TAT/The Star
THE damaged wall of century-old Sien See Sze Ya Temple on Jalan Suasa 6 in Pekan Sungai Besi will be rebuilt.
Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) advisory board member Carmen Leong said the wall, which was badly cracked and in danger of falling over, was damaged as a result of poor drainage.
“Adjacent to the temple is DBKL reserve land, where a family of squatters are running a car workshop.
“The reserve land slopes downward and water flow was previously directed towards a nearby drain, which was installed 40 years ago.
“However, during my visit before Chinese New Year, I was shocked to find the drain covered with soil.
“This led to poor drainage, causing stagnant water to seep underground, gradually damaging the foundation and causing the wall to crack and tilt,” Leong said.
She further highlighted instances of waterlogging next to the wall and in the backyard of the Taoist temple.
“Underground water accumulation will lead to surface ponding.
“The situation worsens after rainfall,” Leong said during her recent site visit.
Also present were officials from DBKL’s Valuation and Property Management Department (JPPH), Enforcement Department and its Tun Razak city branch office.
Leong said the latest visit, the third such appraisal of the situation, aimed to address the problem at its core.
“Despite lack of action following the previous two site visits, the outcome this time is more fruitful.
“City Hall has promised to rebuild the drain.
“The local authority will also assist the temple by demolishing the wall for reconstruction,” she said.
Leong added that DBKL would hold a meeting soon with the temple’s contractor to finalise construction plans.
Sien See Sze Ya Temple was established in 1901 in Sungai Besi Old Town, but was moved to Pekan Sungai Besi in 1937.
DBKL advisory board member Lai Chen Heng, who was also present, urged the local authority’s staff to be more attentive to their duties.
“Sometimes the problem lies not with the authorities themselves, but with staff who might neglect to report issues.”
Lai urged public servants to carry out their duties diligently to ensure more effective resolution of issues.
