Anwar confirms attendance at mosque groundbreaking despite criticism

KUALA LUMPUR: Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has confirmed that he will attend the groundbreaking ceremony of a mosque at Jalan Masjid India on Thursday (March 27) despite criticism from NGOs.

The Prime Minister said that he urges the management of Dewi Sri Pathrakaliamman Temple to continue negotiations with the landowner, a private company, and Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) for relocation to another site.

“I will still go ahead and place the cornerstone (Batu Asas) for the mosque on the 27th.

“I ask the temple management to continue to negotiate amicably to find a solution. The Federal Territories Islamic Religious Council (MAIWP), the private company, and DBKL are all requested to be moderate and courteous in their discussions.

“The temple committee is also requested to do the same. We are all friends and comrades, so do not paint us as cruel. Do not listen to instigators,” he said during the 218th Police Day celebration at the Police Training Centre (Pulapol) on Tuesday (March 25).

Anwar explained that the need for a new mosque arose due to the overcapacity of nearby mosques.

“The approval for its construction was given in 2019. When was it approved? 2019. Know who was the prime minister then. When was it green-lighted for development? 2020. When a new prime minister took over.

“When was it approved to start construction? 2021. During the time of another prime minister, but in the end, the current prime minister is blamed,” he added.