Guan Eng denies claiming PN will destroy Buddhist, Chinese temples

 

DAP chairperson Lim Guan Eng has denied making claims that Perikatan Nasional will destroy Buddhist or Chinese temples in Penang if it took over the state government.

His denial comes after a portal quoted a China Press report where Lim had allegedly said non-Muslim lifestyles in Penang will be banned if the “Green Wave” arrived in the state.

“A speech I gave in Mandarin was spun to give the impression that there are quarters who want to demolish Buddhist and Chinese temples. This is not true.

“I am very sorry that some irresponsible parties have deliberately twisted my speech and portrayed it as if it were fuelling religious and racial sentiments,” he said in a statement today.

Clarifying the matter, Lim said his speech was made in reference to a case of a Hindu temple in Kedah being demolished. Lim attached a screenshot of the 2020 report to his statement.

In June 2020, Malaysiakini reported that Kedah caretaker menteri besar Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor was called to explain the demolition of a 70-year-old Hindu temple along Jalan Stesen, Alor Setar.

The demolition was criticised by various parties including former Alor Setar City Council member R Kumaraguru Naidu who claimed that the issue of the temple’s demolition arose when PN assumed the state government.

The Sri Madurai Veeran temple was built in 1942 by Keretapi Tanah Melayu workers.

Quoting China Press, MalaysiaNow reported Lim as saying that if “’Green Wave’ doesn't like the temples they see, they would destroy it”.

"But as long as Penang remains the same, people can still worship the gods and Buddha,” MalaysiaNow reported.

Lim allegedly said this when attending the Tian Fu Gong White Dragon King Tour event in Jelutong, Penang yesterday.

3R issues

In his statement today, Lim said it never crossed his mind to use 3R (religion, race and royalty) issues to gain votes as it would only harm the harmony in the country’s multiracial and religious society.

“I hope all parties will uphold the Constitution which clearly states Islam as the official religion and adherents of other religions are free to practice their faith safely and peacefully,” he said.

Earlier, PAS information chief Khairil Nizam Khirudin expressed his disappointment towards Lim’s “extreme and slanderous” comments.

He said Lim’s alleged statements were proof of DAP’s main leader who was “constantly fanning the flames of extreme racial and religious sentiments to the extent of creating tension within Malaysia’s community”.

"This irresponsible statement shows that DAP, which is forced to cooperate with Umno, is in a very desperate situation and lacks ideas to campaign in the upcoming state elections," he said.

Khairil said that PAS strongly condemned the alleged Islamophobic narrative brought by Lim, claiming that the latter’s comments proved that DAP was the official mouthpiece of the “Islamophobic movement”.

"This incident clearly indicates that the ideology and agenda of 'Malaysian Malaysia' brought by DAP is not compatible with Malaysian society which consists of various races and religions," he said.

Khairil also urged the Communications and Digital Ministry to take action against Lim for allegedly playing the 3R sentiment. - Mkini