Hindu temple demolition against Opposition’s promise

The Ampang Jaya Municipal Council (MPAJ) officers had taken action to tear down a Hindu temple, the Sri Maha Kaliamman temple in Kampung Tasik, Jalan Baru in Ampang on Sept 9 2008.

After being informed of the demolition of the temple on Wednesday, Selangor MIC Youth Chief M. Yogeswaran immediately lodged a report at the Ampang Jaya police station.

MIC President Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu condemned the action, saying it went against the Opposition’s promise during the election campaign not to demolish any temples.


“It is very careless of the local council to demolish the temple without first relocating the temple,” he said in a statement.

Human Resources Minister Datuk S. Subramaniam said the MIC was extremely disappointed with the Pakatan Rakyat state government and the Ampang Jaya Municipal Council (MPAJ).


“Our stand all along has been that if a temple needs to be relocated due to road expansion or some other major development, it can be relocated with the agreement that a new place of worship be built in an ideal area,” he said.

ABDULLAH:RELIGION CONTINUES TO BE A SENSITIVE ISSUE

Wesak is the holiest day in Buddhism. Buddhists celebrate Wesak Day to commemorate the birth, enlightenment and death and his passing into nirvana of Gautama Buddha. The significance of Wesak lies with the Buddha and his universal peace message to mankind.

Wishing Malaysian Buddhists a Happy Wesak Day, the Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi hoped that the mutual understanding and solidarity between the various races would be further enhanced so that the country would continue to progress in peace.

"The constitution guarantees the freedom to practice any faith although Islam remains as the official religion." He admitted that religion continues to be a sensitive issue in this multicultural nation but said he hoped that conflicts could continue to be resolved peacefully.

The determination and solidarity of the Malaysian people in rejecting extremist elements as well as their desire to uphold peace and harmony had enabled the country to ensure that the people of various races and religious background live in peace.

"Malaysia is most fortunate as the people of various races and religions in the country can live in peace and harmony all this while.”

Realizing the sensitivity attached to religion which calls for tolerance among the people of various races and religions, he said the government, through the Ministry of Unity, Arts, Culture and Heritage, had held discussions with associations representing the various faiths in the country.

The discussions aimed to find the needs of the various religions besides enhancing relations and understanding between the people of various races and religions.

"I hope that such an approach will enable us to resolve whatever issues or problems amicably and in the spirit of comradeship,” Abdullah said.

Do Not Mock Any Religion

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi has reminded all Malaysians not to mock any religion or its teachings as these are sensitive issues.

“Do not do things which may offend the believers of other religions , this is not good. This can make the Christians unhappy, Muslims too cannot tolerate such things.” he said after performing the groundbreaking ceremony for the new RM150mil UiTM campus in Kg Beting near Bahau Thursday August 23, 2007.

Abdullah was asked to comment on Tamil daily Makkal Osai printing a picture of Jesus Christ holding a cigarette in one hand and a canned drink looked like beer in the other with a quote – “If a person repents his mistakes, heaven awaits him.”