MIC Youth: Xavier is lying

The MIC Youth also says that the Selangor exco member is trying to divert attention in order to avoid taking blame.

PETALING JAYA: Calling the Selangor executive councilor Dr Xavier Jayakumar a liar, the MIC Youth today said that the Public Complaints Bureau, under the Prime Minister’s Department, does not have the authority to direct local councils to issue summons or compounds.

MIC Youth chief T Mohan said contrary to what Jayakumar had said, the Public Complaints Bureau had no authority to instruct local councils although it can make suggestions and recommendations.

“The bureau is a body which acts based on complaints received from the public. Their duty is just to suggest and advice the relevant bodies on complaints received…in this case it is clear that the Kajang Municipal Council acted on its own,” he told FMT when contacted.

Yesterday, Jayakumar in a press statement said the instruction to issue summons and compounds to the Sri Maha Mariamman temple in Bangi Lama, Selangor, for excessive noise during prayer sessions was on the instructions of the Public Complaints Bureau.

Mohan also took Jayakumar to task for saying that even the municipal council head was unaware that the temple was issued summons by his officers.

Mohan said the temple was first issued a notice on Feb 17 last year and the notice was signed by an enforcement officer named Faizal on behalf of the council president.

“How come an ordinary enforcement officer signed the notice on behalf of the president without his knowledge? It looks like Jayakumar is deliberately trying to cover up by bringing the Prime Minister’s Department into the picture,” he charged.

Mohan said Jayakumar should also provide evidence to prove his claim that the Public Complaints Bureau directed the council enforcement officers to issue summons to the temple.

“If he fails to furnish evidence, then he should resign immediately for lying to the people,” he said.

Meanwhile, the temple committee chairman R Pannir Selvam insisted that the temple would not reduce its noise level during prayers.

“We will not entertain the notice,” he said, adding that the temple would continue prayers as usual.

Pannir alleged that PAS members were behind the matter. He also warned the state government not to politicise the issue.

“It is a religious matter. Please do not politicise it,” he added.