Sugumaran performing the groundbreaking ceremony using an excavator in Teluk Jawa.
THE Hindu community of Johor Baru is finally getting a dedicated centre to perform funerary rites.
During the groundbreaking ceremony in Teluk Jawa, Yayasan Sultanah Rogayah (YSR) chairman Datuk R. Sugumaran said the centre, which would be built on a 0.66ha piece of land, was very meaningful to the Hindu community.
“I would like to express my deepest gratitude to His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia, for granting us this land as the site for Hindus to perform their last rites.
“This is a historic moment for the community as we have been waiting for this for over 20 years,” said Sugumaran.
He said Sultan Ibrahim had entrusted YSR with the responsibility of handling the centre’s construction and management.
“A special meeting was held at Johor Mentri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi’s official residence on Aug 22 last year, where the status and management of the centre were discussed.
“During the meeting chaired by the Mentri Besar, it was unanimously agreed that the management of the centre would be entrusted to YSR under a Temporary Occupation Licence,” he said.
Sugumaran said YSR received the approval letter from Johor Baru Land Office in October last year and had paid a premium of RM10,530 for the land.
“We have carried out clearing works on the site and will be starting the tender process soon.
“We hope to have the project completed by May,” he said.
He added that the centre would have six pavilions for the performance of final rites.
Sugumaran also thanked Onn Hafiz and state executive councillor K. Raven Kumar for their support and the RM1.224mil state government allocation for the project.
“Once completed, this will be the official place for the community to carry out final rites,” Sugumaran said.
He added that YSR would issue standard operating procedures for casket operators.
Initially sited at Tanjung Langsat, the centre was shifted to Teluk Jawa, 20km away, after the original site was deemed unsuitable due to security issues.
The groundbreaking ceremony was witnessed by temple and non-governmental organisation representatives as well as local leaders.
Johor Hindu Sangam deputy chairman K. Manikam said he was happy that the prayers of the Indian community had been answered.
“With YSR leading the project, I believe it is now in good hands, and I am very happy with this development,” he said.
