Temple committee chairman R Nadarajah expressed hope that the federal government would allocate some funds for the temple to carry out the project.
“We hope (the government) will help us because this year we are going to put up an escalator for the (disabled) and elderly, who cannot climb the steps (to get to the main temple),” Nadarajah said at a press conference with human resources minister Steven Sim.
However, he did not disclose how much the project would cost.
Currently, devotees and visitors have to climb the colourful stairs comprising 272 steps to reach the renowned temple at Batu Caves.
Nadarajah thanked Sim’s predecessor, Batu Gajah MP V Sivakumar, for allocating RM1 million to the temple last year for maintenance purposes.
He said the temple will commence the construction of a multipurpose hall at Batu Caves after Thaipusam, which falls on Jan 25. The hall is expected to cost an estimated RM35 million.
“We are going to put up two projects after this Thaipusam, we need
your help,” Nadarajah told Sim at the press conference.
Separately, Sim said his ministry will dispatch 200 volunteers to Batu Caves to assist the temple committee in managing logistical issues during Thaipusam.
The Social Security Organisation (Socso) will also set up a stall with its officers on hand to help eligible devotees and visitors register for its Housewife Social Security Scheme.
Sim said his ministry wanted to take the opportunity with the large crowd expected at the Batu Caves, to create greater awareness as well as register more housewives as part of its target to have 500,000 housewives signed up for the scheme this year.
Meanwhile, the minister also said he will discuss Fomema Sdn Bhd’s reported increase in fees and frequency for migrant workers’ medical examinations with the health ministry.
“Fomema is under the health ministry so it’s difficult for me to make any comments here. However, I will discuss the suggestions given by the Malaysian Employers Federation (MEF) with the health ministry,” Sim said.
Yesterday, The Edge quoted MEF as urging for Fomema’s increase in fees and frequency for migrant workers’ checkups to be suspended pending consultations with stakeholders.
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