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PUTRAJAYA: A Batu Caves temple devotee today questioned the lack of updates on an investigation by anti-graft authorities against the chairman of the temple committee regarding allegations linked to a land deal.
Arun Doraisamy, who heads the Reform Batu Caves Task Force, said it had been nearly 500 days since the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission’s (MACC) raid on March 4 last year at the premises of chairman R Nadarajah.
“To date, MACC has failed to make any announcements regarding the status of the case,” he said after submitting a memorandum calling for a review of the case at the MACC headquarters here.
Arun, who was accompanied by lawyer Siti Kasim, also spoke of “bad apples” within the agency whom he claimed had hampered the investigation to protect the temple chairman.
He urged MACC chief Azam Baki to form a special task force to handle the investigation and to provide an official update on the case.
Meanwhile, Siti urged the government to form an independent committee to investigate MACC.
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Accused of abuse, Nadarajah says ‘made my money’ before becoming Batu Caves temple chairman
Friday, 02 Aug 2019 09:22 AM MYT
BY YISWAREE PALANSAMY
KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 2 — Batu Caves Hindu temple chairman Tan Sri R. Nadarajah has responded to prevailing rumours and suspicions of his personal wealth, insisting these were due to jealousy against him.
Claiming there was an “inside job” to depose him, he insisted he accumulated his wealth through hard work since his younger days when he had worked as a wireman, metre cleaner and technician before graduating to becoming a contractor.
“I did so much work. Government works I did when (now Tun) Datuk S. Samy Vellu was minister. I did a lot of projects,” he said during a recent interview.
“So I earned my money, and with what I gained, I bought some assets here and there.
Nadarajah still runs the contracting business with his son today and said he received a windfall after securing the job for a road project from Petaling Jaya to Subang.
Aside from trying to explain the source of his wealth, Nadarajah also insisted that it was impossible for him to have embezzled temple funds as rumoured.
“How can I take, I ask you? There are three people and all the properties (of Batu Caves) are under the trustees. I didn’t take any of this money,” he said.
In June last year, the Agamam Ani Hindu Association group reportedly held a press conference demanding an explanation from the Batu Caves temple over alleged irregularities.
The fledgling group also demanded a clearout of the temple committee.
Nadarajah rubbished the allegations and maintained that these were motivated by envy as he chose to “live well”.
“Jealousy. Jealousy. They can’t take it that a metre-reader is now in this stature. That Nadarajah is building his own home.
“When I take a loan to build my house, they say someone pumped the money. I just throw the burden on God, and move on,” he said.
Despite organising the press session to fend off the allegations, Nadarajah also insisted that he has mellowed and no longer wanted to fight.
The 75-year-old also vehemently rejected rumours that he was positioning his son to take over as the temple committee chairman.
Nadarajah said this was also part of the conspiracy against him and insisted that it was not his place to decide his successor as the position was elected.
“If he (my son) wants to become a chairman, let him contest me and come. I have been saying that everybody can contest me. Anybody,” said Nadarah.
Nadarajah also conceded that he was among those investigated by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) in March, but directed questions on this to his lawyers.
The MACC was investigating a 2014 land deal and arrested three people from the temple committee for its investigation.
Anti-graft officers also searched a home belonging to one temple official and two luxury vehicles parked outside.
MACC officers also raided the Sri Mahamariamman Devasthanam temple office in Batu Caves.
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18 May 2019
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The MACC was today urged to investigate three of its officers who allegedly leaked information linked to a case involving a “Tan Sri” and his son who carries a “Dato” title.
Hindu Agamam Ani Malaysia Association advisor Arun Dorasamy claimed that three MACC officers had met with the Tan Sri’s son for breakfast on May 4, the same day a separate team had raided their home, arrested them and obtained a three-day remand order under Section 16 (a) of the MACC Act 2009.
“We believe that the three officers had leaked information relating to the case, to the ‘Tan Sri’ […],” Arun told reporters during a press conference in Petaling Jaya.
Arun, who revealed that he had lodged a MACC report which triggered the May 4 raid, said the allegedly leaked information concerned an ongoing probe into the development of a plot of land belonging to the Sri Mahamariamman Devasthanam temple at Jalan Bandar, Kuala Lumpur.
“Even worse, the identity of my main witness was leaked to the Tan Sri, who later approached the person to make an offer,” Arun further claimed.
Aside from the allegedly leaked information, Arun said he was informed that a MACC officer presently investigating the case had received purported threats from several individuals linked to the high-profile duo.
“We are asking MACC chief commissioner Shukri Abdull to investigate our claims regarding its officers, and also on the alleged threats.
“We view this issue seriously. If it is not taken seriously, there is a possibility that it could affect the investigations (against the duo),” said Arun, adding that he had lodged another report with the MACC on Thursday.
Also present during the press conference was lawyer V Thiru Kumar.
Arun had sent a letter to MACC chief commissioner Shukri Abdull about the purported leaks on May 16. A copy of the letter sighted by Malaysiakini showed that the MACC had acknowledged its receipt.
When contacted, MACC deputy chief commissioner (operations) Azam Baki assured that both Arun’s allegations today and the original case against the duo would be investigated in a professional manner.
“If he has proof, come to MACC to lodge a complaint. We will investigate the issue professionally,” said Azam.
“The case we are investigating is still ongoing and will not be affected.
“For both cases, I give my assurance that they will be investigated in a fair and transparent manner,” said Azam, who added he has yet to receive Arun’s May 16 report.
“I will look into it,” he said.
https://www.malaysiakini.com/news/476640
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PETALING JAYA: A viral video linking Batu Caves temple chairman Tan Sri R. Nadarajah to a room filled with stacks of euro bills amounting to €4bil in Cameron Highlands is not true.
The 29-second viral video circulating on social messaging application WhatsApp, showed a stockpile of €500 notes stacked on top of a hydraulic lifting trolley, as well as stacks of bills in other denominations.
Footage from the video also showed some of the money was half burnt, and even a part of the wall was charred.
The text accompanying the video in the WhatsApp message said that €4bil was found in a man’s house in Cameron Highlands.
It added that when police came to check the house, the wife of the man had tried to burn it, but failed to destroy all the money.
“This house belongs to Tan Sri R. Nadarajah. (The) money is part of our taxes, Jib (former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak) and cronies,” the text continued.
A Google Reverse Image search of the video found that it had previously been linked to Nigerian scammers, allegedly corrupt leaders in Nigeria, Cameroon, Italy and even embattled Russian senator Rauf Arashukov, who was arrested over his alleged role in ordering two contract killings.
According to The Observers, a television show affiliated to French news agency France 24, the video was actually an art installation titled “European Dream” in Madrid, Spain, by Spanish artist Alejandro Monge.
The Observers said the video was filmed by someone who had visited the Art Madrid festival in February 2018.
The Observer reported that Monge was aware that his art installation was being used to spread false claims, adding that the artist had told them that his installation was a “commentary on modern society and how everything revolves around money”.
“I believe that money is the god of contemporary society. My sculpture is made up of about 500,000 hand-painted fake bills made out of resin,” Monge said.
Further checks by The Star found that the identical layout of the video, including the charred wall, were featured on Monge’s Instagram account.
There were also pictures of the half-burnt notes on his page with the caption “art madrid” and “art fair” dated Feb 25, 2018.
Monge has numerous other art pieces that deal with euro bills as its main theme. The euro bills can be seen placed in blue Ikea carrier bags, bundled in 4WDs, and even in the stomachs of teddy bears.
Monge’s official website also had images of money-themed art installations dating back to 2014.
Previously, there had been allegations that Nadarajah was linked to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) investigation on the development of land belonging to the Batu Caves temple committee.
The three individuals were said to be committee members of a Hindu temple in Batu Caves, and one of them was a high-ranking official with the title “Tan Sri”.
A Hindu religious association had called on the temple committee to come clean over the development of a parcel of land in Jalan Kuching that belonged to the committee.
The association claimed to have received “complaints and shocking information” related to the land deal.
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change.org
14 March 2019
Requesting Pakatan Harapan govt to sack Tan Sri Nadarajah and Batu Caves Management
For decades , Mahamariamman Devasthanam Chairman Tan Sri Nadarajah and his committee mismanaged temple fund and properties
Updates
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10 months ago500 supporters
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10 months agoTamil Maran Velayutham started this petition
Reasons for signing
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11 March 2019
Video of room filled with stacks of Euro bills supposedly belonging to Batu Caves temple chairman is fake po.st/yD9wlx via
PETALING JAYA: A viral video linking Batu Caves temple chairman Tan Sri R. Nadarajah to a room filled with stacks of euro bills amounting to €4bil in Cameron Highlands is not true.
The 29-second viral video circulating on social messaging application WhatsApp, showed a stockpile of €500 notes stacked on top of a hydraulic lifting trolley, as well as stacks of bills in other denominations.
Footage from the video also showed some of the money was half burnt, and even a part of the wall was charred.
The text accompanying the video in the WhatsApp message said that €4bil was found in a man’s house in Cameron Highlands.
It added that when police came to check the house, the wife of the man had tried to burn it, but failed to destroy all the money.
“This house belongs to Tan Sri R. Nadarajah. (The) money is part of our taxes, Jib (former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak) and cronies,” the text continued.
A Google Reverse Image search of the video found that it had previously been linked to Nigerian scammers, allegedly corrupt leaders in Nigeria, Cameroon, Italy and even embattled Russian senator Rauf Arashukov, who was arrested over his alleged role in ordering two contract killings.
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7 March 2019
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New Straits Times @NST_Online
‘Tan Sri’ in temple land probe out on MACC bail
PUTRAJAYA: The ‘Tan Sri’ who was remanded over the development of a land owned by the Sri Mahamariamman Devasthanam in Kuala Lumpur has been released today.
Magistrate Noraisyah Mohd Yusof dismissed the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission’s (MACC) application to extend his remand for another seven days.
The court also ordered the wheelchair-bound Tan Sri to be brought to the hospital for a medical check-up.
He was released under MACC bail.
However, the court allowed the graft-buster’s application to extend the remand of another two, including the Tan Sri’s son until Friday.
Counsel Datuk S. Devanandan who represented the Tan Sri said his client had given full cooperation to the MACC in its probe.
“There is no reason for MACC to further detain my client as he has given his full cooperation,” he said.
https://www.nst.com.my/news/crime-courts/2019/03/466892/tan-sri-temple-land-probe-out-macc-bail
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New Straits Times @NST_Online
MACC seizes millions in cash from home of Batu Caves temple committee top official
KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Anti Corruption Commission (MACC) has seized more than RM1 million, foreign currency, numerous luxury watches, expensive cars, gold, jewellery and other valuables after raiding the home of a top office bearer of the Batu Caves Hindu Temple committee.
It is learnt that the amount of money and other seized items was such that even the graft busters were taken aback as they painstakingly counted the wads of cash and itemised each piece of jewellery and other valuables found in the house.
Sources told the New Straits Times that the MACC was still evaluating the worth of all these items, including the ringgit value of the foreign currencies.
It was reported that the raiding team went to the house in Kota Damansara after the temple official, who holds the Tan Sri title, was detained on Monday evening.
The Tan Sri, along with two others, have since been remanded for three days in connection with allegations linked to the development of a parcel of land in Kuala Lumpur that belonged to the Sri Mahamariamman Devasthanam temple.
Apart from the Tan Sri’s house, MACC officers also raided the Sri Mahamariamman Devasthanam temple office in Batu Caves in relation to the same case.
Pictures of the raid have since been widely shared on social media. The pictures showed MACC officers counting cash and inspecting jewellery and watches at the official’s home.
The raids were related to a tip-off received last year linked to the development of 4.5-acre plot in Jalan Kuching which was inked in 2014.
The RM250-million project involved a mixed development that included serviced apartments, offices, and retail outlets, and the agreed deal was that the temple would receive 25% of the sum from the developer.
However, several Hindu groups had questioned the plan, saying a trustee of the temple was also involved in the project but the claim was denied by the temple committee chairman.
The plot of land in question is about 2 km from the temple site and was donated by a devotee of the temple over two decades ago.
Over the years it has been leased to used car dealers.
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5 March 2019
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Good JOB,, MACC,, RAIDED BT CAVES CHAIMAN TS NADARAJAH,, 👍👍👍,,, https://t.co/NLLwKrFEkh
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Dakwaan seleweng dana: Tan Sri antara 3 pemimpin kuil direman
PUTRAJAYA: Tiga individu termasuk seorang bergelar Tan Sri dibenarkan direman tiga hari bagi membantu siasatan berhubung pembangunan sebidang tanah dimiliki kuil Sri Mahamariamman Devasthanam di Jalan Bandar, Kuala Lumpur.
Perintah dikeluarkan Majistret Nik Muizuddin Nik Muhammad di Mahkamah Majistret di sini, hari ini.
Difahamkan, ketiga tiga individu berkenaan termasuk seorang pengurusan tinggi juga bertanggungjawab menguruskan kuil Hindu di Batu Caves, Selangor.
Penahanan mereka bagi membantu siasatan Suruhanjaya Pencegahan Rasuah Malaysia (SPRM) berhubung pembangunan sebidang tanah milik kuil Sri Mahamariamman Devasthanam di Jalan Bandar di ibu negara.
Pagi tadi, sepasukan pegawai penyiasat SPRM menyerbu rumah pegawai tinggi berkenaan, selain menggeledah pejabat pengurusan kuil di Batu Caves.
Sebelum ini, seorang pemimpin PKR menggesa SPRM menyiasat pengurusan sebuah kuil berhubung dakwaan penyelewengan dana kerajaan dan penderma.
Kuil di Jalan Bandar itu adalah yang tertua di Kuala Lumpur dan diuruskan Lembaga Pengurusan Kuil Sri Maha Mariamman Devasthanam.
Lembaga berkenaan turut menguruskan Kuil Batu Malai Sri Subramaniar di Batu Caves dan Kuil Kortumalai Vinayagar di Persiaran Maybank.
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MACC arrests Batu Caves temple committee official https://t.co/VEdEJw9u5J https://t.co/qtBHh2Kp2t
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The raid is believed to be linked to the development of land belonging to the Sri Mahamariamman Devasthanam temple. https://t.co/IiXdSSudaC
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Rumah ahli Jawatankuasa Kuil Batu Caves diserbu SPRM https://t.co/0xS903GTIs
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weehingthong 