SHAH ALAM: The Taman Ixora housing area in Section 23 here has become a testbed for race relations following a proposal to build a Hindu temple in the quiet, middle-class neighbourhood.
The temple has been proposed for Phase One of the housing area, which has 157 houses. About 30 of them are occupied by Indians and an almost equal number by Chinese.
The relocation of the temple from an earlier site in Section 19 has upset many of the area's mostly Muslim residents, some of whom allegedly participated in a protest on Friday that brandished a severed cow's head.
A police unit has been stationed at the community hall.
A seamstress, 38, who wished to be identified only as Ida, was against the building of the temple, saying it would be too near the playground.
She believed most of the residents opposed the proposal.
"Most of the residents here are Muslims and the state government should follow the voice of the majority," Ida said.
She said the temple was not in the original plan of the housing area when the houses were purchased.
"If I knew there was going to be a temple here, I would never have bought this house."
Ida, who has lived in Section 23 for four years, said the residents' protest should not be turned into a political charade.
Another resident, Yusof Nordin, 59, said the area was unsuitable for the construction of a temple as it was a housing estate.
"This is the first time I know of that a temple is going to be constructed in a housing estate, what more a Malay majority one.
"It is inappropriate and could jeopardise the harmony of the residents here."
Yusof said he was afraid the temple could eventually encroach on the residents' space.
A resident who identified himself as Shukor said he had no objections to the temple if it was built by local residents.
"But nobody wants to get into trouble and everyone just keeps quiet. We don't want to be seen as going against anyone. I just want to mind my own business," he said.
A Muslim woman who declined to be identified said she had no problem with the temple being built here.
"They just want to pray, so I see no problem. I don't want to voice this out openly as I have to live here. This is all politics now," she said.
A resident who gave his name as Kong, 55, said most of the Chinese residents would not mind if a temple was constructed but an earlier agreed site in Section 22 was preferable.
"I have lived in Shah Alam for 35 years. Personally, I think Section 22 is a more suitable site. Firstly, it would not be in a housing area and, secondly, the temple authorities could request a larger piece of land there to build a bigger temple which can accommodate more people.
"I don't think this is a big problem. There is no need to quarrel. All sides should sit down together to discuss this issue to achieve a solution where everyone will be happy," Kong said.
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