Perak people, especially the Indian community, have been urged to dismiss a text message claiming that Ipoh City Council (MBI) has ordered the demolition of a 100 year-old temple in Tanjung Rambutan.

Menteri Besar Zambry Abdul Kadir said that he had clarified the matter with Ipoh mayor Rashidi Hashim, fearing that the SMS could trigger ugly incidents.

"Unscrupulous people are deliberately spreading lies via SMS that MBI wants to demolish a temple in Tanjung Rambutan.

"They have gone too far and are trying to provoke anger among Perak people after the demolition of a temple in Selangor," he told reporters after chairing the weekly state exco meeting in Ipoh today.

Zambry said that MBI had actually received an application from the temple management to build a four-storey building, including a community hall near the temple.

MBI then replied and proposed that part of the temple be demolished to make more space for the four-storey building and parking facility for the comfort of patrons.

He said it was only MBI's proposal to the temple management and that the matter could be further discussed.

"I hope that these lies are stopped immediately because it can create an unhealthy atmosphere not only in Perak but also in the whole country," he added.

- Bernama