Kedah MB says temple demolition carried out according to law
The demolition of the 70-year-old Hindu temple along Jalan Stesen by the Alor Setar City Council (MBAS) was done according to the law, said Kedah Menteri Besar Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor.
He denied the enforcement authority was being racist against the Hindu community in the temple demolition on July 9...
The demolition of the 70-year-old Hindu temple along Jalan Stesen by the Alor Setar City Council (MBAS) was done according to the law, said Kedah Menteri Besar Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor.
He denied accusations the enforcement authority was discriminating against the Hindu community in the temple demolition on July 9.
"We were not treating one particular ethnic group unfairly. This is not racist but it is about law and regulation," he said in a video clip taken at a press conference in Kedah earlier today.
Sanusi said the temple was built for Hindu workers who were recruited to build railway tracks decades ago but a new temple site elsewhere had been given to them when the need for the double-track project to be carried out arose.
He explained that the community at the temple was issued four eviction notices between January 2019 and June this year.
He acknowledged that the 30 days time frame given to them to move the temple had been shortened to 17 days.
"My special aide asked them to meet me. At first, I said one month but after a discussion, (we found) that to be a violation of the law so it (the time frame) was shortened," he added.
On the early morning of July 9, the Sri Madurai Veeran shrine, which sat under a tree opposite the Alor Setar rail station, was demolished despite protests from its caretaker C Vijhay Mohen.
Vijhay had lodged a police report against the authority.
Elaborating, Sanusi (below) noted that the relocation work could be done easily as it was a small temple and the statue was about knee-high.
"I asked my Hindu friend who said Hinduism does not teach its followers (to act as such)," he said.
He then trained his gun at his critics, particular DAP's P Ramasamy who questioned the demolition of the temple, for attempting to create disharmony in the state.
"Kedah is in harmony and the people here follow the rules and regulations. If you want to violate the rules and regulations, then go to other states," he added.
Sanusi apologised to the Hindu community for such an unpopular move and said the matter requires attention before the temple can be expanded to a bigger structure.
"I apologise to the Hindus who pray at this temple because the action had to be taken according to the law. (People can) have their worship at any place," he said.
In an immediate response, Ramasamy rebutted by saying Sanusi failed to portray the actual picture on the alternative plot given for the temple's relocation.
"According to the temple committee, there was no alternative site offered nor were there any discussions on the alternative land by any party," he said.
The Penang deputy chief minister II claimed that the Kedah MB issued an inaccurate statement in stating that the temple was set up in 1946.
"The temple's caretaker said it has been in existence for close to a century.
"The railway at Alor Setar started operation in 1915 and there is a huge possibility that it was built by the worshippers there prior or after the construction of the railway track," he added.
"The existence of the temple and its heritage alone could prove it."
Ramasamy (above) fired back at Sanusi who had asked him to focus on the affairs in Penang only.
"Who is he to stop me from defending religious rights when the Hindu community is persecuted?" he said, adding that he has a responsibility to question when persecution occurs.
"Ever since it took power in Penang, DAP has never compromised with any quarters who intend to demolish temples.
"Why can't Kedah emulate Penang in this matter?"
Sanusi should not interfere in the religious matter of Hindus, he added.
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