More than 160 representatives of Hindu places of worship and groups concerned over ongoing temple demolitions want a national consultative interfaith council established immediately to address the issue.

In addition, they are asking for the prime minister to be made the de facto minister in charge of religious affairs for non-Muslims.

This is among the 11-point resolution adopted by the crowd at Sunday's three-hour roundtable session in Parliament facilitated by Ipoh Barat MP M Kula Segaran.

Stories were told of demolished temples which at last count stood at 10 in the last three months, according to the Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf), a fairly new movement monitoring interfaith conflicts.

On May 25, about 100 Hindus turned up in front of Kuala Lumpur City Hall building to protest the persistent demolition of their shrines and temples, some over a century old.

After three hours of presentation and testimonies on Sunday, the participants adopted a 11-point resolution demanding that the government consider it seriously, and warned of escalating tensions if left unheeded.

New law

In proposing the council, they want a distinct freedom of religion and worship legislation "bearing the spirit and aspiration" of Article 11 of the Federal Constitution.

They want the proposed council to view and act on all complaints pertaining to demolition of Hindu temples without fear and favour.

The resolution states that the proposed law will not infringe the vital provision of Article 11 and will incorporate all related international conventions and declarations.

At the same time, they want the government to immediately "halt the indiscriminate demolishment of temples and all places of worships belonging particularly to non-Muslims".

"Any demolishment sanctioned and or authorised by local authorities, town councils and town boards shall be classified as illegal and void," read the resolution.

AG must act

The group also wanted the Attorney-General's Chambers to "aggressively prosecute" the culprits responsible for the indiscriminate and irresponsible acts that risks "rocking the cradle of harmony and national unity".

They asked the government to allot land for places of worship in every township without any restrictions as to form or type except compliance with building by-laws, and wanted all to be classified as a national heritage.

Another resolution adopted is for respect and strict observance of all international conventions and declarations on the freedom of worship and religion.

"The government must take every prudent step to enlighten the people of all walks of life and faith, and believe on the need to co-exist and respect the rights and constitutional freedom of others."

The group also wanted the government to ensure that no manipulative device or mechanism is used to deny non-Muslims their constitutional freedoms.

The Hindu temples, most of which started off as small shrines during pre-colonial days, were later expanded on and renovated as bigger temples with hundreds of devotees.

In recent years, many had to make way for expanding cities and suburbs as more and more private and state land went for rapid development.

Devotees claim that the demolitions were done haphazardly, usually in the wee hours of the morning and sometimes without any notice on grounds that the structures were illegal.