WITH him, the Indian community living in the southwest district of the island, especially in Sungai Ara, will finally have a new, well-equipped funeral parlour to carry out final rites with dignity and peace for their departed souls.
State Housing and Environment Committee chairman Datuk Seri Sundarajoo Somu stated the pressing need for such a platform following the lack of proper funeral facilities in the southwest district.
In a video that he recently posted on TikTok; he shared that the management of Sri Subramaniar Temple in Sungai Ara approached him with a proposal to build a funeral parlour on the temple-owned land just opposite the Sungai Ara Army Camp.
“I was convinced that this project needed to happen after I had reviewed the proposal, as well as understanding the challenges and concerns faced by the local Indian community there.
“Our community deserves a well-equipped, respectful space to honour their loved ones and navigate moments of grief with dignity,” he said.
It was learned that Sundarajoo has pledged to fully fund the RM150,000 project on his own, as he was determined to materialise this initiative that will benefit the people on a long-term basis.
Slated for completion in June this year, the funeral parlour will accommodate two funerals at any one time, including other features, such as a shower room, and other essential amenities for the comfort of the grieving families.
He visited the construction site on April 3 and noted the smooth progress the project was making.
In a broader perspective, Sundarajoo has committed to leveraging his position as a state executive councillor to build at least one funeral parlour and ‘Kirigai’ site in every district across the state.
Story by Kevin Vimal
Pix courtesy of Datuk Seri Sundarajoo’s office