Selangor Menteri Besar Abdul Khalid Ibrahim gave his assurance to the people today that the Sepang Municipal Council (MPS) will not demolish any more altars in compounds of houses under its jurisdiction.

NONE This follows the state government decision that altars built within a house compound do not need local government approval, Khalid said.

The decision, he said, took into account the incident report from MPS, a memorandum from the Bandar Baru Salak Tinggi residents and the views of several Indian groups.

"We are prepared to study the matter further and we decided on three things today: that MPS will not demolish any more altars. Secondly, no expansions will be made to the altar (in Bandar Baru Salak Tinggi) without local council approval.

"Thirdly, the construction of an altar or place of worship for a family or individual use, if constructed within the house compound, does not require local council approval," Khalid told reporters after today's state executive council meeting in Shah Alam.

On Nov 20, about 30 MPS enforcement officers entered the house compound of Bandar Baru Salak Tinggi Hindu resident Umah Devi and demolished family altar built there.

Disciplinary action under review

The demolition caused friendly fire against the MB from DAP's Puchong MP Gobind Singh Deo and PKR's Kapar MP S Manickavasagam, who gave Khalid an ultimatum over the issue.

However, Manickavasagam clarified that he had only urged that the MB resign if he failed to handle the issue.

Asked whether any discplinary action would be taken against the enforcement officers who demolished the altar, Khalid said the matter was still under review.

"We are in the midst of making decisions. For now, we are still reviewing each memorandum and suggestion made by all the groups, including the Malaysia Hindu Sangam, the local residents, related individuals and the MPS report," he added.

Hindu altar row - whatever happened to tolerance?