SELAYANG: People started gathering early on Friday in the compound of Batu Caves here to protest the planned 29-storey condominium project in the area.

A few hundred people were there by about 10:15am and more expected to arrive throughout the morning to take part in the peaceful protest organized by the Batu Caves temple committee.

Amid banners protesting the construction of the condominium, committee members were also getting signatures from the public for a petition against the project.

Technical experts have also been invited to explain the cons of having the high rise building in the heritage area.

Temple committee chairman Datuk R Nadarajah praised the crowd for their patriotic spirit.

"A government that is not God-fearing, but heartless in administration and approval of the project will not last long," he told protesters, in an apparent reference to the Selangor state government which approved plans for the project.

State exco member Dr Xavier Jeyakumar said earlier this week that while he was concerned about the issue, the state government should not give in to the temple committee's demands.

He questioned the need to stop the project, adding other high-rise developments in the area were previously approved.


- The Star

http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2012/10/26/nation/20121026104145&sec=nation