Hindu Board defends billboard of Guan Eng

The Penang Hindu Endowment Board (PHEB) has defended billboards featuring Pakatan Rakyat's leaders which were placed in the midst of the annual Thaipusam celebrations.

The billboard, which has a large photo of Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng and smaller images of other leaders, raised the ire of state BN chief Teng Chang Yeow when the latter made his rounds at the festival site yesterday.

PHEB chairperson P Ramasamy cried 'double standards' when he criticised Teng for saying that Pakatan tried to promote themselves with the billboards.

"How come they do not make an issue about Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak's gigantic billboards in Batu Caves? We have to be fair," said Ramasamy, the Deputy Chief Minister II.

"That Najib billboard is bigger than Lord Murugan and is situated in the temple compound," he argued.

"Here, we do not have politicians featured in our temple grounds or committees."

'Temple has no jurisdiction'

Ramasamy was responding to Teng's remark that the Penang BN never did such a thing, as it was akin to promoting themselves during a religious festival.

Teng (left), who is Gerakan secretary-general and a former state exco member, pointed to a large billboard bearing Lim's portrait along with Lord Murugan, at the entrance of thekavadi procession route.

Ramasamy pointed out that the billboard was not within temple grounds.

He said neither the temple committee, nor PHEB have jurisdiction over what is displayed outside the place of worship.

He added that the Penang Municipal Council (MPPP) has control over what can be displayed within a public area.

"If there are complaints from the public, we will consider and review the matter," he said during his visit to the festival ground together with Lim and other Pakatan leaders yesterday evening.

"We don't bring politics into the temple. There are some politicians like me in the PHEB, but none in the temple committee," he stressed.

"If Teng accuses us of playing politics, then what was the billboard of Najib doing in Batu Caves?"

Rayer: No one has protested

Meanwhile,  Seri Delima assemblyperson RSN Rayer said that no one has protested and come forward to voice their discomfort about the billboard.

“Obviously the people who were not comfortable with it were the BN leaders,” he added during a press conference this morning.

He said Penangites especially the Hindus should have a “clearer picture” in their minds as BN does not respect the community in the state.

“What is Teng's response to this? Until now the demolished 50-year-old Muniswarar shrine in Prai has not been reconstructed,” he added.

The shrine was demolished last year by Penang Port Sdn Bhd, whose chairperson is Umno’s Teluk Bahang rep Dr Hilmi Yahya.

Penang Port Commission chairperson and MCA president Dr Chua Soi Lek has also been criticised for allowing the demolition to take place.

Hilmi, the former Penang deputy chief minister, has responded by saying the matter would be resolved.