He said eight cases were successfully settled with the temples and shrines involved being granted written offers of occupation, while the remaining cases were offered alternative sites reserved for non-Muslim places of worship.

“From the balance of 107 temples, 56 were identified as needing urgent action for relocation as the areas will be developed,” he told reporters after handing over offer letters for identified sites here today.

As an effort to overcome all these problems, Santhara said the federal territories director of lands and mines created an executive committee last August, chaired by him, with representatives from each religious association to discuss matters relating to the management of the temples and shrines, apart from finding solutions on illegal occupation.

Santhara said among the problems included the lack of cooperation of the landowners and temple and shrine management apart from inaccurate facts which delayed the issue from being brought to the committee.

He hoped all religious associations would be more sensitive in setting up places of worship especially on government land. They should seek permission for the place of worship from Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL), he said.