Section 23 residents action committee chairperson Mahyuddin Manaf believes that the cow's head that was brought to yesterday's controversial protest was to 'provoke them'.

However, the self-proclaimed PAS member declined to elaborate, saying he did not want the issue to be blown out of proportion.

NONE He also stressed that the protest was not intended to stoke racial tension but rather to 'solve such grievances'.

As for the cow's head, Mahyuddin said its appearance at the protest remains a mystery.

"We did a post mortem (on the protest) but could not identify the people who brought it," he told Malaysiakini.

Mahyuddin (right) was also unsure whether outsiders were involved in the protest.

"There were some NGO leaders yesterday, but I don't know them personally," he said, adding that he wanted a peaceful protest.

"Originally, the committee members planned to stage a demonstration participated by 3,000 people but I objected to the idea as I wanted a peaceful not chaotic protest," he added.

Mahyuddin also stressed that he was not a racist.

"From the onset, I gave importance to religious sensitivities. I want unity. We are not against the temple, we just do not want it to be built in a Muslim majority area," he said.

'Wants to avoid racial tension'

Mahyuddin also expressed his disappointment at the lack of response from the state government for the memorandum that was submitted in protest of the temple relocation.

"We have yet to have a meeting (with the leaders) and we have not even received a single notice," he said.

He also explained why Section 23 residents are persistent on their stand in objecting to the temple being built in their area.

He said that he wanted to avoid (racial tension) "just like what happened in Section 19" - where the temple is currently located.

"Some issues emerged when Section 19 residents protested against the temple for the past 26 years and we just do not want the same thing to happen in our housing area," said Mahyuddin.

He however refused to divulge more details on the incidents that allegedly occurred in Section 19.

"We do not want to have disunity among the races when the temple is relocated here, that is why we are against this plan all the while," he said.

He further reiterated that Section 22, although is an industrial lot, is the best place for the temple to be relocated.

"And it is only about 200 metres from the big road and the Hindus can always walk to the temple.

"If they argue it is not appropriate because it is an industrial lot, it does not make any difference as Section 23 is also an industrial lot," said Mahyuddin.