Selangor government condemns 'provocative' protest over temple relocation

2009/08/29

SHAH ALAM: The Selangor government today condemned and expressed regret over the "provocative, offensive and deliberate use" of the severed head of a cow by a group of people to stage a protest yesterday against the proposed relocation of a Hindu temple to Section 23 here.

Menteri Besar Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim said in a statement: "We condemn the incident and despicable act as it has taken the entire nation a step backward in all efforts towards mutual respect among the various races and religions. It is indeed appalling that such religious intolerance still exists amongst fellow Malaysians."

Yesterday, a group of 50 people claiming to be residents of Section 23 placed a cow's head on the gates of the state secretariat building here, in protest against the proposed relocation of the temple.

Subsequently, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak directed Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Musa Hassan to investigate the incident.

Earlier today, at about 10am, four Pakatan elected representatives held a discussion on the incident with Shah Alam district police chief ACP Nor AzamJamaluddin at his office here.
They were Shah Alam Member of Parliament (MP) Khalid Samad, Klang MP Charles Santiago, Pandamaran state assemblyman Ronnie Liu and Seri Andalas state assemblyman Dr A. Xavier Jayakumar.

Eight individual police reports have been lodged on the incident, by Socialist Party of Malaysia secretary-general S. Aruthchelvan; special officer to DrJayakumar, Abdul Razak Ismail; and six Selangor state executive councillors.

Nor Azam, when met by reporters, said a report was made by the police yesterday pertaining to the illegal protest and investigations would be carried out under Section 27 (5) of the Police Act.

He said the police would also conduct investigations under the Sedition Act as the incident touched on racial and religious sensitivities.

Batu Tiga state assemblyman Rodziah Ismail had said the state would hold an open discussion on the proposed Hindu temple on Sept 5, which would be attended by Section 23 residents, Shah Alam City Council officials and representatives ofthe Selangor State Development Corporation (PKNS).

Residents of Taman Ixora in Section 23 have registered their objection to the relocation of the Sri Maha Mariamman Temple from Section 19 to Section 23, and handed over a memorandum on the matter to Rodziah through her special officer Naim Yusri on Aug 14.

It was reported that the chairman of the committee objecting to the construction of the temple, Ahmad Mahyuddin Abdul Manaf, had said that the proposed relocation site was within 160 metres of the residential area, where Muslims made up 70 per cent of the residents, and also close to the Al-Jannahsurau in the housing estate.

In KUALA LUMPUR, Information Communication and Culture Minister Datuk SeriDr Rais Yatim described the action by the protestors as improper and extreme, especially during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.

He said the protestors should have kept their emotions in check and observed decency in voicing their opinions and objection so as to respect the feelings of others as well as to maintain public order.

"Malaysians should have learned from the lessons of history, especially after the May 13 incident. What they did cannot escape action from the law," he told reporters after watching a full dress rehearsal of the 52nd Merdeka Day gathering at Parliament Square. He also advised the media against sensationalising news on the incident. - BERNAMA