Latest news with #columbarium
Free Malaysia Today
4 days ago
- Politics
- Free Malaysia Today
Klang villagers up in arms over columbarium project
Kampung Raja Uda village committee chairman Azhar Ibrahim with fellow residents at a peaceful rally today to protest against the columbarium project. (Bernama pic) KLANG : Residents of Kampung Raja Uda near here are considering submitting a protest memorandum to the Sultan of Selangor, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah, regarding the construction of a four-storey columbarium adjacent to the mosque in their area. Village committee chairman Azhar Ibrahim said that most of the 5,000 residents in the village oppose the construction of the columbarium on a one-hectare plot of private land. He said the project had not been discussed with the residents, who only became aware of it two weeks ago. 'Many residents are worried that the village area may become polluted by ashes generated from the cremation process, particularly for homes situated less than 10 metres from the site,' he told reporters after participating in a peaceful protest on Persiaran Raja Muda Musa in Port Klang today. Dozens of village residents were at the protest, expressing their opposition to the construction of the columbarium. Azhar said that in the last two days, residents have submitted over 300 protest notices online to the Klang city council regarding the planned project. He said the villagers want the construction of the columbarium to be cancelled, to ensure the comfort of residents, especially Muslims. The imam of Kampung Raja Uda mosque, Bazaireen Baharuddin, said: 'We strongly oppose the construction of this four-storey complex' less than 50m from our place of worship. 'I am concerned that once the columbarium begins operating, it will host many religious ceremonies, making the Muslim residents here feel uncomfortable,' he said. He said the villagers hoped the MP, state assemblyman, and Klang mayor would listen to their concerns.
South China Morning Post
25-05-2025
- Health
- South China Morning Post
Even in death, green is still best way to go in Hong Kong
Not so long ago, Hong Kong faced an acute shortage of burial places. Amid an ageing population it had to be addressed with some urgency. Advertisement Previous administrations stepped up efforts to build more columbariums. The shortage of niches may be less of a problem now, but the demand remains strong and will grow over time. That is why it is good that the authorities released 16,150 new public columbarium niches on May 19 and will soon open many more. In a sign of the times, 6,050 niches will be located in a smoke-free facility where the burning of joss sticks and incense offerings will be prohibited to meet the environmental concerns of local residents, as well as a requirement from local government to comply with environmentally friendly principles. The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department says Hong Kong residents have a month from May 19 to apply for the 4,000 standard niches and 50 large ones at Wo Hop Shek Columbarium Phase VI, as well as the 6,000 standard niches and 50 large ones at Cape Collinson-San Ha Columbarium and Shek Mun Columbarium. Advertisement The Wo Hop Shek and Cape Collinson-San Ha facilities have a 50 per cent smoke-free policy. The scheduled completion of the smoke-free, 23,000-square-metre, three-storey Shek Mun Columbarium this year will offer another 40,000 niches, along with a garden for scattering ashes and 300 spaces for miscarried fetuses.
South China Morning Post
14-05-2025
- General
- South China Morning Post
Hong Kong to release more than 16,000 new columbarium niches
Hong Kong authorities will release 16,150 new public columbarium niches from Monday, with 6,050 located in a smoke-free facility where the burning of joss sticks and incense offerings will be prohibited on its grounds. The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department made the announcement on Wednesday, encouraging residents to apply online for random computer balloting that will take place in the third quarter of the year, with the results to be released on the same day. 'I must emphasise that the Shek Mun Columbarium is completely smoke-free and the place will not be equipped with joss stick burning and incense offering fixtures,' Jacqueline Ho Yuen-man, an assistant director of the department, said. 'This was in response to the requests of the residents in the neighbourhood, as well as the reminder from the Sha Tin district council to make environmental-friendliness a principle in putting the facility in place.' According to the department, Hong Kong residents will have a month from Monday to apply for the 4,000 standard niches and 50 large ones at Wo Hop Shek Columbarium Phase VI, as well as the 6000 standard niches and 50 large ones at Cape Collinson-San Ha Columbarium and Shek Mun Columbarium. A standard niche, suitable for one or more sets of cremated ashes, will cost HK$2,400 (US$307) for a 20-year period, with an additional HK$1,200 for each subsequent decade. A large niche, accommodating three or more sets of cremated ashes, will cost HK$3,000 for 20 years, followed by HK$1,500 for each additional decade. The Wo Hop Shek and Cape Collinson-San Ha Columbaria have a 50 per cent smoke-free policy, with the authorities reminding the applicants that should they wish to pay respects with any burnt offerings, they should not choose Shek Mun Columbarium.
