Kedah MB broke promise over temple demolition - minister
Human Resources Minister M Saravanan has accused Kedah Menteri Besar Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor of failing to keep a promise by giving the go-ahead to demolish a Hindu temple on Tuesday.
He claimed that he and Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (National Unity) Halimah Mohamed Sadique held a meeting with Sanusi on July 26...
Human Resources Minister M Saravanan has accused Kedah Menteri Besar Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor of failing to keep a promise by giving the go-ahead to demolish a Hindu temple on Tuesday.
He claimed that he and Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (National Unity) Halimah Mohamed Sadique held a meeting with Sanusi on July 26.
At the meeting, Sanusi purportedly pledged to inform both Saravanan and Halimah if any non-Muslim places of worship are to be demolished before any enforcement action takes place.
“However, it came as a shock to me to learn that the menteri besar had blatantly disregarded the promise and continued the demolition of a temple in the state recently.
“I am certainly disappointed with the menteri besar's unilateral action to demolish the temple despite his promise to two federal ministers during the July meeting.
“This goes against the spirit of a national coalition government and any decline in Indian support for the ruling coalition in the future would be due to these sorts of deceitful actions by the Kedah menteri besar,” he said in a press statement yesterday.
Saravanan, who is also the MIC deputy president, accused Sanusi of abusing his power and must explain why the temple was demolished without consultation.
He also demanded that Sanusi clarify his stand on places of worship in Kedah.
The Alor Setar City Council had demolished the 30-year-old Sri Raja Muniswaran in Taman Bersatu, Kuala Kedah, on Tuesday to pave way for construction of a futsal court. The building had been erected on state land.
Also demolished in the operation were a silat hall and five parking areas.
In response to MIC’s criticism against the demolition, Sanusi had insinuated that MIC is instigating illegal actions and ought to be banned.
Senator Balasubramaniam Nachiappan, who heads the PAS Supporters Congress (DHPP) urged all parties involved to return to the negotiation table but said there is no need for MIC to create a perception that only MIC is capable of championing the cause of the Indian Malaysian community.
Responding to Balasubramaniam, MIC vice-president Sivarraajh Chandran countered that the matter is no mere perception but a reality.
He said MIC has neither direct involvement in state administration nor Indian affairs in Kedah, and that responsibility instead falls on Kedah DHPP chief BK Kumaresan who has been appointed as the menteri besar’s special officer on Indian community affairs.
“Thus, the DHPP should take responsibility in resolving Indian community issues including temple demolitions, allocations for non-Muslim places of worship, and other issues.
“The DHPP’s job is not merely to issue statements after a problem has cropped up but to use its position as a representative of the Indian community to solve those problems.
“So back to Balasubramaniam’s statement, in light of several recent developments caused by DHPP’s failure to advise the Kedah government, are we supposed to say the DHPP is the only political organisation that can safeguard Indian interests?” he said.
He also reminded that PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang had previously stated that PAS will always cooperate with MIC to resolve issues faced by the Indian community.
Thus, there is no need to chide MIC whereas both MIC and PAS top leaders enjoy good relations.
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