By: Aida Aziz
IPOH — A majority of residents in Taman Bendahara and Prima Paloh are against a proposal to build a four-storey private columbarium near Jalan Bendahara, which would function as a facility for funeral management and ash storage.
About 170 residents attended a recent public briefing, or town hall session, held to discuss the proposed development.
Ipoh City Council (MBI) said most of those present expressed their disagreement and indicated that they would submit formal objections through the proper channels.
Among the reasons cited in earlier objections were claims that the columbarium would be located too close to residential areas.
Residents also raised concerns over a possible drop in property values, approvals granted without prior consultation with the local community, cultural and customary issues such as feng shui, as well as emotional distress and discomfort at living near a columbarium.
The town hall was held at the auditorium of SJK (C) Sam Chai and was attended by Ipoh Timur MP Howard Lee, Pasir Pinji assemblyman Goh See Hua, city councillor Jayden Lim, and representatives from MBI.
MBI said the project, proposed by OPL Synergy Sdn Bhd, involves development on approximately 4.58 acres of privately owned land, covering Lots 15402 to 15408 as well as Lot 15395.
“The briefing session was organised following objections submitted by residents of Taman Bendahara and Prima Paloh against the proposed columbarium development.
“MBI informed that based on the Ipoh Local Plan 2035, the proposed project is in line with the designated planning zone and land use class.
“In terms of the approval process, the project has gone through the stages of Planning Permission, Earthworks Plan, Road Plan and Building Plan.
“The application was also referred to the Perak Islamic Religious and Malay Customs Council (MAIPk) and received a ‘no objection’ response, as the proposed development site is located adjacent to the Jalan Bendahara Muslim cemetery,” it said.
MBI added that the majority of residents present at the session reiterated their opposition to the proposal and planned to hold further discussions with the developer and the city council.
