MIC should be outlawed if it 'instigates' lawbreaking - MB

 

Kedah Menteri Besar Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor said MIC ought to be outlawed although it is a BN component party, if it is found to have instigated members of the public into lawbreaking.

Amid a dispute over the demolition of a Hindu temple in Kuala Kedah, Sanusi (above) "advised" that a registered political party should not defend those who have run afoul with the law.

“I wish to advise Kedah MIC and the central MIC, especially since we are participating in politics through political parties… Our parties have a constitution, a constitution that is approved by the Registrar of Societies.

“For example, on temple issues, if the temple is built on land where it is not allowed to do so, then it has broken the law.

“Was MIC founded as a political party to instigate the people to break the law?

“If it is founded to instigate the people, then MIC should be outlawed in this country. It cannot be allowed to move freely,” he told a press conference today.

Sanusi said this when asked to respond to Kedah MIC’s condemnation that the state is no longer a harmonious place for a multicultural society to live in.

In an immediate response, MIC president SA Vigneswaran (below) slammed PAS and said it is PAS that ought to be outlawed for supporting certain international organisations.

“If defending the rights of their respective community and religion is interpreted as instigation, then PAS is the one that should be banned.

“We have heard many complaints about them when they were in the opposition, (for example) their frequent demonstrations on international issues.

“Since long ago, many people have considered PAS to have supported international organisations linked to terrorists," he told Malaysiakini when contacted.

“PAS also likes to intervene in national issues that run against Malaysia’s stance of not interfering in other countries’ sovereignty,” Vigneswaran added. 

The former Dewan Negara president also told PAS not to be an "ingrate" and emphasised that MIC does not depend on PAS in the Perikatan Nasional (PN) government.

“Don’t forget your condition just six months ago. This is PAS’ true face, friendly before becoming government.

“Previously it was with Umno, and now it is with Bersatu. It seems DAP cannot be faulted when PAS left Pakatan Rakyat because now we can see PAS’ actions,” he said.

Vigneswaran also challenged Sanusi to ban MIC and promised to accept the outcome if the latter succeeds.

However, he questioned Sanusi if he is prepared to step down as menteri besar if he fails to outlaw MIC.

In addition, he accused Sanusi of lying by claiming that the federal government and the state government did not allocate any funds for temples.

“We have proven that he is lying, though he refuses to apologise.

“When you demolish a temple without any compensation, can’t we (MIC) question it? Who else can raise questions if not MIC?

“The Kedah menteri besar should either answer our question or provide a replacement site for places of worship. The Kedah menteri besar is not mature and this is what happens when immature leaders become menteri besar," Vigneswaran said. 

“Go ask what has happened of PAS president (Abdul Hadi Awang’s) guarantee not to demolish temples if PAS forms a government together with PN,” he added.

For the record, the Alor Setar City Council (MBAS) had demolished a temple at Taman Bersatu, Kuala Kedah yesterday to make way for development.

The 30-year-old Sri Raja Muniswaran temple is situated on land owned by the state government.

Apart from the temple, a silat hall and five parking areas were also demolished to make room for a futsal court.

Following the demolition, MIC Youth Public Complaints Bureau chief Sasitharan Samugam Pillai claimed that freedom of religion was no longer "harmonious" in Kedah.

“When the MBAS was asked, they said this was ordered by the Menteri Besar’s Office. But when referred to the Menteri Besar’s Office, they said there is a postponement order but the enforcers insisted to proceed with the demolition.

“This is a tactic of changing stories, and in the end, it is Hindus who suffer.

“It seems the Indian community is not valued as Kedah citizens. The practice of freedom of religion is no longer harmonious in Kedah,” he said in a statement.

Relations between Sanusi and Kedah MIC have been tense following the demolition of a temple at the Alor Setar train station early this year.

The situation worsened when Sanusi said there is no allocation for temples and non-Muslim places of worship under the state’s Budget 2021 proposal. - Mkini