SRI RAMA TEMPLE (Demolition)

Mr Teo Chong Tee asked the Minister for Social Affairs (a) whether the Sri Rama temple which has been existing for more than 31 years in Changi Village will be allowed to remain on the present site in view of its significant importance of being the only one of its kind in Singapore as well as in the whole of South East Asia; and (b) if so, whether permission will be given for the rebuilding of the temple on the same site.

Encik Othman bin Wok: Mr Speaker, Sir, the site of the Sri Rama Temple is affected by the Changi Village Re-development Project, and according to the development plans of the Housing and Development Board, this temple was to be demolished in early 1976. Under the comprehensive re-development plans for the area, both sides of the Changi Road will be developed and a PWD Extension of Kuala Loyang Road Scheme will affect the temple site.

My Ministry officials met the Sri Rama Management Committee and the Hindu Advisory Board on a number of occasions on this matter. Originally, the proposal was to remove the temple to a disused Tamil school at Wing Loong Road. However, this proposal does not seem to be feasible because the school site will be affected by a JTC Changi Industrial Estate Project in 1980.

The Hindu Advisory Board will liaise with the Sri Rama Temple Committee to remove the idols to another Hindu temple. If necessary, the Joint Hindu Temple Management Committee, set up under the Chairmanship of the hon. Member for Anson, Mr P. Govindaswamy, will consider the need to build a Hindu temple in Bedok New Town to house the idols of the Sri Rama Temple and a few other Hindu temples affected by development.