'Datuk Kong' protects us, residents say of demolished shrine

The demolition of a shrine in Klang that was sporting the dome of a mosque has been a contentious one.

Some on social media lauded the demotion, seeing Islamic elements in a Taoist practice as an affront to Islam.

The notion of a "Malay deity" is an alien one in this day and age, especially where the idea of Malay and Islam are intertwined.

The local authorities say they were only doing their job, as the shrine was constructed on government land and it had nothing to do with religion.

For some local residents though, the "Malay deity" was their protector.

A woman, who declined to be named, said the "Datuk" shrine (photo) had been there for 15 years.

She claimed the shrine protected the area from calamities and brought prosperity to local businesses.

"Normally in every area there is a Datuk. (This shrine is) already 15 years old, of course the Datuk here takes care of this area very well, takes care of safety and business.

"So people donated money to renovate it bigger. That's not wrong, isn't it?" she said.

The woman said it was initially a small red shrine but was later renovated.

"It is built to resemble a mosque because the guardian here is a Malay Datuk. Whoever demolished it, I do not know what his fate will be," she said.

Meanwhile, another resident said the "Datuk" was the "spirit chief" of that area.

"Before they are done, housing contractors will build a shrine to protect the area. Whichever area you go, there will be a 'Datuk'.

"We have to respect one another. That is more important because we have many religions and races and each religion has its own beliefs," he said.

The man also gave an example that in some Malay communities, there is a belief that every forest also has a guardian and permission should be sought before entering the area.

The shrine, on Jalan Makyong 5E/KU5 in Bukit Raja, was on Wednesday demolished by the Klang Municipal Council (MPK).

A visit to the site by Malaysiakini found the shrine to have been removed and ground paved.

MCA religious harmony bureau chief Ti Lain Ker disapproved of the demolition, stating that sensitive issues should be resolved through dialogue.

"Sensitive" issues related to religion and culture should be discussed first before any action is taken, Ti told Malaysiakini.

"Actually, sensitive issues such as this should be discussed more thoroughly, what more such practices took root here as a sign of respect and not with the intent to insult or denigrate anyone.

"The officers also should not have acted without referring to the state executive council members or local representatives," he said.

Meanwhile, BN's Klang parliamentary coordinator Ching Eu Boon said the Selangor government should be more careful about issues involving religion.

'Such actions might anger the Chinese'

Ching said he was worried that such actions might anger the local Chinese community.

He also suggested that MPK prepares another plot of land to replace the demolished shrine.

Malaysiakini also paid a visit to the Klang Municipal Council and its president Mohamad Yasid Bidin (photo) reiterated that the demolition was purely due to land issues.

"If it is an illegal structure, and as there were complaints, we took action.

"Even if it was an illegal store, we would demolish it," Mohamad Yasid said.

In a related development, Pertubuhan Ikatan Kebajikan dan Dakwah Selangor (IKDDS) urged the state government to use the Islamic Religious Administration (Selangor) Enactment 2003 to address such issues.

IKDDS president Rosdi Long said the Selangor Islamic Religious Council (Mais) had proclaimed that a non-Muslim house of worship is not allowed to adopt any identifiers of the Islam religion.

Umno Online also quoted the Selangor executive councillor in charge of religious affairs, Ahmad Yunus Hairi, as saying that the construction of such shrines should not be allowed as it would create confusion and cause religious tension.-Mkini