It is indeed a sad day for many Hindus in Malaysia - news about brawls breaking out between residents and the authorities over the demolition of a temple near Shah Alam are a cause of concerned. Several people were reportedly injured and many more arrested for protesting and resisting the demolition orders.

However, on the same day when speaking at the closing of the national-level Umno religious bureau heads, our beloved prime minister urges us to be sensitive and strive for religious tolerance at all cost. He added that we should be respectful of other faith and belief, especially when dealing with religious sensitivities and be moderate when discussing religious matters.

I agree with him on this, because these are values that are so basic and necessary in order to preserve a multi-racial and multi-religious society in Malaysia and we cannot compromise these values at our peril.

Sadly his administration and officers seems to have a different views on such issues. The relative tolerance and peace enjoyed by Malaysian is now under new threat rising from the aggressive and high-handed tactics the authorities is deploying to subvert the minority right to worship and practice his religion.

They seem to be ignorant and have total disregard for any rule of law or religious sentiment of the people. They fail to realise that when a person has been suppressed of his or her basic rights and their rights to defend it, civilisation rapidly declines back into barbarity.

Reading from the Islam Hadhari principles, I believe the ninth principle touches on preserving the dignity of human beings without any discrimination and without differentiating between majority and minority groups. The rights are also enshrine in our Federal Constitution. This protection encompasses the protection of life, religion, property, dignity and intellect.

Therefore, the principle reiterates that these rights cannot be denied with the excuse that it is a minority group. Denying them their rights is wrong in the eyes of the law and in addition I shall add God's law which stresses tolerance and peaceful resolution to disputes.

Take a look around, the world is full of examples of violent religious intolerance. In Malaysia so far we all get along well because we respect each other's different beliefs. If an incident like this continues and allowed to exist, conflict would be inevitable and maintaining the social contract that unites all of us would become impossible. The repercussion of all this is bad publicity for Malaysia, which at this point of time something that the government already having its hand full and which all of would like to avoid.

As for MIC president S Samy Vellu, I would say welcome to the real world. Now you know the ground reality and understand the anger and frustration which the Indian community was trying to convey to you in the past but unfortunately you came out strong defending the Barisan government and lambasting the Indians as ungrateful. Well sir, even you being a cabinet minister can't do much to stop the demolition, imagine us the lay people.

I am glad now that you have spoken out and send a strong signal to the government; let's hope it will be taken seriously by your cabinet boss and colleagues. To those giving the orders, remember this saying, "treat others as you would like to be treated" - so let's practice it to make Malaysia a better place.