Group protests against construction of temple

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SHAH ALAM: About 50 people gathered at the gates of the State Secretariat building here carrying a cow's head and warned of action if a temple is constructed in Section 23 here.

The group marched from the state mosque about 300m away after Friday prayers.

Once they reached the gates of the building, they unfurled several banners calling for the temple to be moved and also on the beer issue.

They were at the gates for about 15 minutes before being dispersed by the police.

The group, which claimed to be residents of Section 23, shouted the names of Menteri Besar Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim and executive councillor Dr Xavier Jayakumar and said the cow head was for them.

The new temple in Section 23 was supposed to be the relocated Sri Maha Mariamman temple currently in Section 19.

The Section 19 temple is about 150 years old and originally located in a plantation. When the State Economic Development Corporation decided to develop the area into a housing estate, it left the temple there.

It was supposed to be relocated, but the problem had been left unresolved for many years.

Initially, the temple was supposed to be relocated in an industrial area in Section 22, but it was moved to Section 23 to make it more accessible for devotees.

However, a group of people in the area had protested, saying it was a Muslim majority area and that no temples should be allowed to be built there.

About 40 per cent of the population in the area are believed to be Hindus.

In an immediate response, MIC president Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu condemned the action by the group.

"The cow is a sacred animal of the Hindus, and for this group to resort to such action is intolerable and tantamount to challenging the freedom of religion as enshrined in the Constitution."

He said nobody should be allowed to challenge or ridicule any religion in this country.

"I worry this action may lead to retaliation from the Hindu community. I urge all Hindus to be calm and let the authorities to deal with it."

Human Resources Minister Datuk Dr S. Subramaniam said while Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak was promoting the 1Malaysia concept and racial unity, this kind of action would hinder the process and turn back the clock.

Subramaniam said he had spoken to Najib about the incident.

"He is upset and has ordered the Inspector-General of Police (Tan Sri Musa Hassan) to look into the matter urgently."