Illegal shrine goes up in defiance of council

KUCHING: Although Padawan Municipal Council (PMC) has rejected an application to complete a shrine on a grass verge at Sungai Maong Bazaar (Mile 3), some defiant persons have taken it upon themselves to go ahead and put a roof on the partially built illegal structure.

The illegal structure.

PMC chairman Lo Khere Chiang was told last Aug 20 about the illegal shrine when it was roofless. When told that the roof of the shrine had been fixed, he said he would look into the matter.

He said the council rejected the application to set up the shrine as there were numerous complaints made by people who did not want the shrine at the location.

Subsequently, the council’s enforcement team has been directed to put an end to the construction of the illegal shrine.

Shrines have been sprouting up at various commercial areas and many shop owners just tolerate them for fear of offending others. They also don’t want to be labelled as intolerant.

However, the brave ones or those who get really pissed off have made reports to the council asking it to enforce its relevant rules and regulations pertaining to such structures.

On the Mile 3 shrine, a shop owner there who complained to the media said he was not against the practise of any religion as long as it does not harm or cause problems to others.

He said Sarawak is special as its people respect one another’s religious preference, but shrines should be put up in proper places and not in places that are never meant for them such as road verges or close to parking lots.

Therefore he hoped that the council would demolish the shrine otherwise more would be built elsewhere.

As for Lo, he stressed that grass verges are meant for grass or flowering plants or trees, and not for shrines.

He pointed out that there are many temples, churches and mosques all over the state and prayers should be conducted in these lawful premises.

“Religious intolerance is not the issue here. We want the city to be clean and neat with plenty of greenery. Some people want to have a shrine right on the edge of a car park. Who will dare to park there for fear of being disrespectful to the worshippers?” he said.

AUGUST 28, 2019
Sarawak Tribune