Convert all 'cross junctions' into roundabouts, said MIC leader S Vell Paari, who expressed bewilderment over the protest in Taman Medan.

He argued that the Works Ministry must immediately look into this since the protesters claimed that the presence of a cross could hurt their feelings and sway Muslim youths.

Apart from this, Vell Paari said the protesters should also demand that schools no longer teach mathematics as the "+" symbol is similar to a cross.

"Their children should only be taught subtraction, multiplication and division. Unless we can substitute the addition symbol with something else.

"On the same note, they should also refrain from using the 'small t' and stick to the 'capital T' because the smaller 't' also resembles a cross," he told Malaysiakini .

Siege mentality

The MIC leader clarified that he was not mocking all Muslims, but only those who suffer from narrow mindedness and a siege mentality.

"I believe most Muslims do not share this view and their faith is not threatened by the mere presence of other religious symbols.

"There is a saying in Tamil, which if translated loosely means 'a fearful man sees a ghost in every dark corner'. This is the mentality of such people," he added.

Vell Paari ( left ) was responding to the incident in Taman Medan , Petaling Jaya, on Sunday where some 50 Muslims protested against a church for placing a cross at a high vantage point.

Armed with placards, the protesters managed to convince the church to remove the cross.

IGP is wrong

Vell Paari said the protest was in stark contradiction of Malaysia being referred to as a nation where people of all faiths and races live in tolerance.

The MIC leader was also puzzled by the mixed responses from Home Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and inspector-general of police Khalid Abu Bakar on the issue.

The minister had described the protest as being seditious while the police chief had a different view.

"What I find puzzling is the IGP's claim that the cross protest did not touch the Christian faith. The cross is an integral part of the Christian faith.

"If it is not linked to the Christian faith, then why protest in the first place?" he asked.

Vell Paari said the police must be careful in not being seen to be taking sides in such issues and must discharge its duties without fear of favour.