Temple row: Firdaus claims received death threat over social media post

Summary

• Independent preacher Firdaus Wong claims he received a death threat after he questioned the establishment of religious sites illegally on other’s property on his social media page.

• Firdaus claims the threat was made by one known as Mohan Raj Thangaraju, adding he would lodge a police report.

• He also urges all quarters to not take the law into their own hands.

Independent preacher Firdaus Wong claimed he had received a death threat after he questioned the establishment of religious sites illegally on other’s property on his social media page.

“I will lodge a police report after Friday prayers against an individual named Mohan Raj Thangaraju who had made a threat against me.

“I was just discussing the issue regarding the building of illegal temples according to laws as reported by the media and other studies.

“However, some people lacked facts and became emotional, resulting in death threats,” he said on Facebook today.

However, Firdaus said he was unafraid of the threats levelled against him and recited a hadith (Sunnah At Tirmidzi no 2516) to comfort himself.

“Be mindful of Allah and you will find Him before you. When you ask, ask Allah, and when you seek aid, seek Allah's aid.

“Know that if the entire creation were to gather together to do something to benefit you - you would never get any benefit except that Allah had written for you.

“And if they were to gather to do something to harm you- you would never be harmed except that Allah had written for you. The pens are lifted and the pages are dried," the verse reads.

Temple in quandary

Yesterday, Lawyers for Liberty co-founder N Surendran claimed that the Dewi Sri Pathrakaliamman Temple, which is slated to be demolished to make way for a mosque, is now in a quandary due to Kuala Lumpur City Hall’s (DBKL) past actions despite the latter appearing to distance itself.

READ MORE: KINIGUIDE | Exploring temple crisis in the heart of KL

Surendran, who is representing the temple committee, said in 2008, DBKL had ordered the temple - which was built in 1893 - to relocate from its original site a few metres away to the plot where it stands.

Then in 2014, DBKL sold the land - allegedly without the knowledge of the temple committee.

Yesterday, DBKL assured the public that they would not demolish the temple until the relocation process is completed.

Landowner Jakel Group also promised that it would not force a demolition until all parties involved achieve a win-win solution.

Let authorities investigate

On that note, Firdaus advised all quarters to not take the law into their own hands.

As a Muslim, he said it was best if such matters were left to the authorities to investigate.

“Whatever happens, I urge my friends to continue supporting our proselytisation efforts,” he added.

Malaysiakini has reached out to Firdaus for more details on the matter.

It should be noted that Firdaus’ contemporary, Zamri Vinoth had also commented on the matter using controversial remarks, much to the chagrin of DAP MP RSN Rayer.

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