Deputy unity minister condemns MIC over Batu Caves prayer for Najib

Summary

• Deputy unity minister K Saraswathy criticises MIC for planning special prayers for ex-PM Najib Abdul Razak at the Batu Caves temple.

• She urges parties to keep their political activities away from religious spaces.

• MIC will hold the prayer session tomorrow after the party scrapped plans to join a solidarity rally for Najib in Putrajaya.

MIC's plan to hold a gathering in support of former premier Najib Abdul Razak at the Batu Caves Hindu temple tomorrow has drawn condemnation from Deputy National Unity Minister K Saraswathy.

In a statement today, she urged parties to keep politically motivated activities away from religious places.

"I strongly condemn such politically motivated activities in the temple vicinity as religious spaces should only focus on spiritual, social, and community-oriented activities, without being influenced by political motives.

"Places of worship should remain sacred spaces dedicated to prayer, reflection, and spiritual upliftment, free from political agendas,” she said.

Saraswathy pointed out that community leaders and temple committees overseeing places of worship are responsible for upholding ethical standards to prevent political interference.

"Allowing the Batu Caves temple vicinity to be used for a politically driven assembly is a failure on the part of the management to preserve the sanctity and neutrality of places of worship as such activities could also set a harmful precedent," she added.

The PKR senator was responding to MIC's decision to hold special prayers for Najib at the Batu Caves Murugan Temple at 11am tomorrow.

The BN component party had initially planned to join a rally outside the Palace of Justice in Putrajaya in support of the former prime minister.

However, the plan was cancelled after Istana Negara issued a statement on the Yang di-Pertuan Agong’s pardon prerogative and a warning from the inspector-general of police not to attend the rally.

The rally coincides with the Court of Appeal hearing Najib's bid to confirm a royal addendum allowing him to serve his remaining prison sentence under house arrest.

The former premier is serving a six-year sentence at Kajang Prison following his corruption conviction in the SRC International case.

Blurring lines can disrupt harmony

Saraswathy expressed concerns that allowing religious places to be used for political purposes can also "blur the lines between faith and politics" and create rifts instead of promoting harmony.

"While this gathering has been described as MIC’s democratic rights, the larger question is the appropriateness of using religious spaces for political expressions.

"Political leaders must observe the balance between demonstrating support and maintaining the sanctity of religious practices,” she stressed.

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