ADUN SPEAKS | Why are there loud calls from both the opposition and some Harapan component parties for the resignation of National Unity Minister and Hindraf leader P Waythamoorthy? 

These calls came immediately after the unfortunate death of fireman Muhammad Adib Mohd Kassim, who was seriously hurt in the Seafield estate temple fracas that took place in the wee hours of Nov 26, 2018, in Subang Jaya.

While one PKR leader urged Waythamoorthy to resign for failing to achieve national unity, others from Bersatu, Umno and PAS argued that Waythamoorthy, by issuing statements not in support of the police, might have contributed to the fracas that took place in the temple. They also wanted him to tender his resignation.

Was Waythamoorthy responsible for the events leading to the temple fracas?

The temple incident was a result of the stalemate between the owner of the temple and one section of the temple committee that refused to honour the consent judgment for the relocation of the temple to another place stipulated in the agreement.

What has Waythamoorthy got to do with this and other related temple matters? He was not even at the scene at all, in the first place.

The actual temple fracas that took place was as a result of the thugs sent, allegedly by the landowner, to demolish the temple. It was this attempt that angered the devotees, leading to fights and torching of several cars until the situation was brought under control by the police.

Was Waythamoorthy behind this fracas and did he inflame the delicate situation? The answer is no.

What was Waythamoorthy's role in the temple matter? 

It was only after the police came out with a statement that the fight was between two Indian groups that Waythamoorthy, together with other Harapan leaders of Indian ethnicity, refuted the initial findings of the police to say that it was not a fight between two Indian groups but a clash between hired thugs and devotees.

Should Waythamoorthy and other Indian leaders resign for making a correct analysis of the situation and for correcting the police?

Did Waythamoorthy – by correcting the police version of events – exacerbate the situation and therefore should he be made to resign? This something far-fetched and totally illogical.

I don’t think he or any anybody inflamed the ground situation and it would be extremely far-fetched and totally absurd to link him to the Adib’s unfortunate death. Wathyamoorthy might not have played an active role in managing the situation because of the involvement of certain groups and parties bent on tarnishing the image of the Harapan government.

The matter developed to an extent where voices of moderation had no role; it was either that one was with temple committee or against it.

Waythamoorthy is not a superhero who can bring about national unity with his Hindraf magic. It is childish or even naive to ask for his resignation for failing to bring about national unity. This question should be addressed to our Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

Umno and PAS leaders asking Waythamoorthy to resign is a rather cheap shot. For leaders who have lost all dignity and shame for not questioning the 1MDB debacle, asking for the ouster of Indian leaders reflects their tainted characters.

Waythamoorthy, on his part, must pluck up the courage to defend his stand on the temple matter. Don’t expect Mahathir to come to the defence.

RAMASAMY PALANISAMY is Perai assemblyperson. 

The views expressed here are those of the author/contributor and do not necessarily represent the views of Malaysiakini.