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Tuesday, January 27, 2015

Klang temple fight heats up: 'UNEDUCATED' Isma told not to use Sultan to bully minorities

Objecting to the renovation of the 117-year-old Sri Sundaraja Perumal Temple in Klang by invoking the name of the Selangor palace is “an attempt to create racial tension in the country”.
Selangor state executive councillor and Kota Alam Shah assemblyperson V Ganabatirau said this in response to Ikatan Muslimin Malaysia (Isma), which protested the reconstruction of the temple.
Ganabatirau, who holds the Poverty Alleviation, Caring Government and Estate Worker portfolio, said Isma was playing the racial card in the bid to create disunity among Malaysians.
“This is so that they can achieve their goal in making other minorities to be placed in fear,” he told Malaysiakini.
“The temple has been in existence even before independence and the area is highly populated by Chinese and Indians,” he said.
Hitting out at the right-wing group, Ganabatirau said Isma leaders should first “educate themselves” before talking about the religions of others.
“Because of their lack in education, they did not realise that the temple is only being renovated and will still be within the same existing area,” he said, adding that the renovation was done according to the regulations set by the Klang Municipal Council (MPK).
The renovation, which costs more than RM10 million, is due to the sizable number of devotees the temple has, he explained.
“The funds are huge because of the big number of devotees and the temple is financially strong,” Ganabatirau added.
Royal town's image 'tarnished'
Isma Klang vice-chief Pathan Hussin was quoted by IsmaTV as saying that plans to make the temple a tourist attraction would tarnish Klang's reputation as a royal town and Malaysia's image as an Islamic country.
“We in Klang see the construction of this new temple as tarnishing the image of the royal institution, which is the umbrella for Islam in this country,” Pathan was quoted as saying.
Slamming Isma further, Ganabatirau reminded the group that the country does not consist of only one race or religion.
He was upset with the federal government’s “double standards”, where no action had been taken against groups like Isma, which continue to create racial tension.
“Because of the inaction of the attorney-general (AG) and the inspector-general of police (IGP), these people continue to make such statements.
“They (the AG and IGP) shouldn’t wait for a police report to be lodged against such groups, because even if we lodge a police report, no action is taken against them,” he said.
Meanwhile, Hindu Sangam president RS Mohan Shan, likewise criticised Isma, saying that the group was bent on whipping up racial issues.
“They (Isma) are very shallow minded, they are not thinking about the country but only of themselves,” he said.
Making the temple a tourist icon
Mohan Shan added that the reconstruction of the Hindu temple was done according to proper procedures.
“A bigger temple will not make Klang a ‘district of Hindus’,” he said.
“Also, by making the temple a tourist icon, it will help to bring in income and allowance for the country and there is no way the Klang royal town will be affected,” Mohan Shan said in calling for stern action to be taken against Isma on the matter.
Sijangkang assemblyperson Dr Ahmad Yunus Hairi who holds the Islamic Religious Affairs, Malay Customs, Rural Development and Traditional Villages portfolio, said although Islam is the official religion, other religions are allowed to be practised in the country
“For the construction of houses of worship, it is up to the devotees to build them. It is up to them (to make renovation) if it is an existing temple and the land is gazetted (for the temple).
“As far as the state government is concerned, the construction must follow guidelines set by the MPK,” Ahmad Yunus said.
The temple is being rebuilt at a cost of more than RM10 million and has been described as the "Thirupathi of Southeast Asia".
It is expected to open its doors to the public in the middle of this year.
In addition to the protest against the Sri Sundaraja Perumal Temple, another right-wing group Perkasa has expressed their opposition to the construction of a Hindu temple in Putrajaya. - M'kini

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