Most Read
Most Commented
Read more like this
mk-logo
News
Resolve shrine demolition, transport minister told
Published:  Apr 25, 2012 1:03 PM
Updated: 5:09 AM

Having failed to obtain a response from the Penang Port Sdn Bhd (PPSB) and Penang Port Commission (PPC) over the demolition of a 50-year-old shrine in Prai, the state government has turned its sights on the Transport Ministry, which has oversight of the two agencies.

NONE Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng (left) said Transport Minister Kong Cho Ha should step in to resolve the matter if Dr Hilmi Yahya and Dr Chua Soi Lek - respectively the chairpersons of PPSB and PCC  - refuse to apologise to the Hindu community.

"When will Hilmi and Chua fully apologise ... for the demolition of the ... shrine and fulfill their promise to rebuild it?" asked Lim in a statement today.

"Why (is there) no follow up? Just how long does it take to rebuild a Hindu shrine on a small 6.1x6.1m site?"

Although Hilmi had announced that PPSB would bear the cost of rebuilding the Muniswarar shrine, this was denied by Prai Bulk Cargo Terminal  general manager Abdul Halim Abdul Kader.

Lim said that, during a visit to the area yesterday, Abdul Halim had told him that he had checked with Hilmi's office, which said that the shrine will not be rebuilt in the same area.

"If that is so, where then will (it) be rebuilt? Furthermore, when will (it) be rebuilt or is this just another of BN’s empty promises to be discarded after the next general election?" asked Lim.

penang land scam issue 290708 hilmi yahya To demonstrate remorse, he said, both Hilmi (right) and Chua must apologise unreservedly on behalf of PPC and PPSB for this "religious sacrilege and trampling on religious sensitivities".

He also lambasted the duo for failing to immediately meet and explain to the port workers and the Hindu community why they had permitted this "barbaric demolition to occur”.

“...This is regrettable, irresponsible and disrespectful ...Worse, no notice was posted on the shrine to give prior notification of the impending demolition," Lim noted.

Yesterday, Penang BN chief Teng Chang Yeow had claimed that Hilmi has resolved the issue.

"The issue is actually related to some security matter and should not have been politicised. The PPSB is willing to bear the cost of reconstructing the shrine," he added.

ADS