Penang Deputy Chief Minister Abdul Rashid Abdullah and a local Umno Youth leader have been implicated in the demolition of a Taoist temple in Bukit Mertajam last week.

According to DAP Wanita chief and Bukit Mertajam MP Chong Eng, there are two letters to prove that Abdul Rashid and Bukit Mertajam Umno Youth chief Ramlan Ishak called for the demolition.

Speaking to reporters at the Parliament lobby today, she said the letters addressed to the Seberang Perai Municipal Council (MPSP) claimed that the temple was illegal.

"Bukit Mertajam Umno Youth hopes MPSP would tear the temple down because it is too close to Jalan Maju and is an unsuitable place of worship," read Ramlan's letter dated Feb 24 last year.

Whereas the other letter dated Aug 18 this year was signed by Zulkafli Kamaruddin, the deputy chief minister's private secretary.

"Based on the complaints received from residents, NGOs and political parties, Abdul Rashid as deputy chief minister supports and endorses the demolition before any unwarranted incidents occur," read the letter addressed to MPSP president Md Aris Ariffin.

Without warning

A notice to tear down the 20-year-old temple was issued earlier but appeals from Penang state exco Toh Kim Woon and Berapit state assemblyperson Lau Chiek Tuan led to a reprieve until after the state exco meeting, which took place yesterday.

However, MPSP proceeded to demolish the temple last Friday without notifying Toh and Lau. The police were forced to fire warning shots to keep the angry crowd at bay.

The temple, built in 1985, was relocated to Jalan Maju last year after its original site about 200m away was sold to a property developer.

Meanwhile, Chong Eng said the demolished temple stood on its own piece of land presently abutting the proposed property development.

She also pointed out that Abdul Rashid was the VIP who had launched that particular development project.

"It appears that there is a conflict of interest compounded to the abuse of authority involving the office of the deputy chief minister," she said.

CM must act

Speaking at the same press conference, Parliamentary Opposition Leader Lim Kit Siang said Penang Chief Minister Dr Koh Tsu Koon was reported as saying that he will investigate who was behind the demolition.

"It is very clear from the documents (the letters) that the person behind the demolition is the deputy chief minister. It appears Koh has been kept in the dark even so long after the demolition.

"Is he a CM with or without power? Koh must take firm action in light of these documents and demand an explanation from his deputy as to why he went behind his back," he added

According to the opposition leader, this was a clear case of insubordination.