Ramasamy: Historic Dewi Sri Dharmabhadrakaliamman temple deserves due recognition

Comment by Prof Dr P.Ramasamy
Chairman, Urimai &
Former Deputy Chief Minister of Penang

Historic Dewi Sri Dharmabhadrakaliamman temple deserves due recognition

On February 25, 2026, I met the committee members of the 80-year-old Hindu temple Dewi Sri Dharmabhadrakaliamman, located on Penang Island. The temple is located on land belonging to the local council, Majlis Perbandaran Pulau Pinang (MPPP) on the island state of Penang.

Adjacent to the temple is the presence of a Sikh gurdwara. Both the Hindu temple and the gurdwara were established by police personnel attached to the colonial police force. Municipal council workers also played a role in the establishment of the said Hindu temple. The temple was formally registered in 2009. The temple occupies an area of 3,000 sq ft.

As the former deputy chief minister II, I had visited the temple on a few occasions and was responsible for opening up road access to the temple. The committee members whom I met today at the Urimai Office in Simpang Ampat will be formally making an application to the Majlis Perbandaran Pulau Pinang for the present site to be rendered to the temple.

I understand that a present Exco member of the state government is hesitant to visit the temple for unknown reasons. This Hindu temple predates the independence of the country in 1957.

It would be highly ludicrous for the Penang state to ignore the plight of the Hindus in the state in general and this particular Hindu temple. The Penang Hindu Endowments Board (PHEB), which took a proactive stand in legalising many Hindu temples in the past, seems to be ignoring this particular temple.

According to the colour formula, this temple would be designated as “red” in colour but in actual reality it should be given the colour of “green