SEREMBAN: The status of 10ha piece of land gazetted for use as a Muslim cemetery in a residential area in Lenggeng near here has not changed, says Nilai assemblyman J. Arul Kumar.

       He said the land in Taman Tasik Senangin was already under the jurisdiction of the Negri Sembilan Islamic Affairs Department.

       "A message has been going around claiming that the particular land status has been changed to a burial ground for non-Muslims

       "That is not true," he said Saturday (Sept 25).

       Arul, who is state non-Muslim Affairs, Plantations and Human Resources Committee chairman said state authorities would look for a site for a Hindu cemetery.

       The existing Hindu cemetery, he said, is located about 200m from the land gazetted for the Muslim cemetery and had been there before the 800ha residential area was developed.

       "But the development plan for the area states that public facilities are to be built on the land where the Hindu cemetery is located.

       "This should have been looked into before the plan was approved so that public infrastructure and amenities could be built without any problems," he said, adding that the developer should have resolved this before handing it over to the authorities.

       Arul also said none of the land earmarked for the Muslim cemetery will be used as a burial site for non-Muslims.

       "We will find a way to resolve the Hindu cemetery issue," he said.