Cemetery plot created on state land without permission

A PROPOSAL will be submitted to the state government to gazette the Ampang Baru Chinese Cemetery as a burial ground.

State Non-Muslim Affairs Committee Chairman Datuk Dr Mah Hang Soon said, despite having been in existence for over 60 years, the 0.8ha cemetery plot was deemed illegal as it was created on state land without permission.

"The move will enable the cemetery plot to be legalised and the next-of-kin of those buried here can have a peace of mind.

"It will also prevent the land from being misused," he said.

Need to be gazetted: A general view of the Ampang Baru Chinese Cemetery near Tambun.

Dr Mah, who said this when visiting the graveyard maintained by the Ampang Baru Benevolent Society on Monday, added that others who have yet to legalise their cemeteries should contact the state Non-Muslim Affairs Department to do so.

Ampang Baru village chief Yau Leong Chong said the size of the plot, which was located next to the North-South Expressway, had shrunk over the years due to surrounding developments.

"The cemetery became increasingly smaller as time went by, what with the emergence of numerous housing projects that resulted in an highway being built in the area," said Yau.

Sungai Rapat assemblyman Datuk Hamidah Osman, who was also present, said the proposal to gazette the land would be brought up at the state executive council meeting in due course.

"It is most likely to be approved as the land has been used as a burial ground for quite some time," said Hamidah.

-The Star-

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