.: 2013-06-23

Sunday, June 23, 2013

CABLE CAR PROJECT: Stop blame game and get it done

I REFER to the report "MPS hits brakes on cable car project" (NST, June 13). http://www.nst.com.my/streets/central/mps-hits-brakes-on-cable-car-project-1.298805

I was rather surprised when I read that the Selayang Municipal Council (MPS) had issued a stop-work order on the cable car project at Batu Caves.

The disabled community, especially Damai Disabled Persons Association members, have been constantly advocating the need to have cable car services at Batu Caves to cater to disabled devotees.

The project will not only benefit the physically challenged, but also senior citizens and children.

The cable car project will boost tourism as well, as it will allow tourists to enjoy the nature surrounding the temple on their journey to the cave.

I sincerely believe that the hard work and millions of ringgit spent on the project should not be wasted simply because the temple management had failed to obtain the necessary approval.

Ignorance of the law on the part of the temple management is not a good defence.

However, I hope that MPS will help the temple management obtain the relevant approval as soon as possible, taking into consideration the needs of the community.

This is not the time for either the temple management or MPS to play the "blame game".

Nevertheless, the temple management should have ensured that it complied with the necessary rules and regulations before implementing and carrying out the long-awaited project.

It is ridiculous how it could have overlooked such an important requirement.

MPS should also take into consideration the project's benefits to society upon its completion.

V. Murugeswaran, President, Damai Disabled Persons Association Malaysia

The Sri Maha Mariamman temple in Batu Caves. The cable car project will also help boost tourism.

Halting cable car project unfair to disabled

June 21, 2013

FMT LETTER: From V Murugeswaran, via e-mail

I was surprised when I read that MPS has issued a stop work order on the cable car project at Batu Caves. The disabled community, especially Damai Disabled Persons Association
members, have been constantly advocating the need to have cable car services in Batu Caves, mainly to cater for disabled devotees. The said project not only will benefit the physically challenged devotes but also senior citizens and children.

The cable car project will also promote tourism as it allows the tourist to enjoy the nature surrounding the temple on their way up to the cave. I sincerely believe that all this hard work and millions spent on the project should not be wasted merely because the temple management has failed to obtained necessary approval.

Ignorance of law and/or proper procedure on the temple management part is not a good defence, yet, I hope that MPS will facilitate the temple management to obtain the relevant approval soonest possible taking into consideration the community’s needs.

It is not the time for either the temple management or MPS to play the “blame game”. The temple management should have ensured that it comply with all the necessary rules and regulations before implementing and carrying out the long awaited project.

It is ridiculous how the management would have possibly overlooked such an important requirement. The temple management should admit its faults and take immediate steps to rectify the problem so not to hamper the completion of the project.

On the other hand, MPS should assist the temple management accordingly to obtain the relevant approvals. MPS should take into consideration, the benefits to the society upon completion of the same and most importantly the money which has been spent to initiate the project. Let us all work together to ensure that the project is not halted for some minor irregularities.

The writer is president of the Damai Disabled Person Association Malaysia

- See more at: http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/opinion/2013/06/21/284959/#sthash.59iqCC2S.dpuf