Shrines, altars in public spaces not a racial problem but symptomatic of Malaysian attitudes

 

Letter to Editor

I REFER to the current hot topic that is dominating talk on social media and kopitiam up and down the country – unauthorised temple structures.

That emotional debate has seemingly spilled over to encompass altars and shrines in flats and apartment residences.

This follows images that have gone viral showing a shrine built in the common walkway in the Desa Tanjung apartment in Puchong, Selangor.

This was no small altar occupying some wall space in front of a residence but quite an elaborate shrine that obstructs part of the staircase.

Fortunately, the matter has been amicably resolved after a visit by the municipal authorities and representatives from the Malaysian Hindu Sangam society with the residents having moved the deity with a promise to also remove the elevated platform.

It was good that the matter was resolved swiftly and amicably before it sows further seeds of discord.

Nevertheless, this incident has been seized upon by certain elements to stereotype the Indian community as land encroachers or space-grabbers, thus trampling on the rights of the landowners.

Road encroachment by alfresco eateries’

Social media is fanning the flames with other netizens also sharing images of residents placing altars in common areas, usually in front of their homes.

Obviously, these altars would be non-Muslim and the narrative that is being peddled is that non-Muslims are somewhat inconsiderate and disrespectful to others.

Such a narrative benefit nobody. What such episodes really highlight is a lack of civic mindedness among Malaysians.

Just look at any busy street and count the number of restaurants – be they 24-hour Mamak diners, Chinese food courts or Malay tomyam eateries that encroach onto the pedestrian walkway either with additional seating or even full-blown food prep stations.

Isn’t it a massive inconvenience when restaurants take over parking spaces in already crowded areas or force pedestrians to navigate between hot woks of oil?

I have also seen a tyre shop which actually fence up an entire section meant for motorcycle parking and turn it into a private storage area.

How is it any different if it’s a tyre storage unit or a shrine? It is just that the former will be free of 3R (race, religion and royalty) connotations though it is obviously illegal.

Most, if not all, Malaysians take this as part of local life without blinking an eye. Nobody thinks about turning it into a racial issue. Perhaps what we all need to acknowledge is that Malaysians generally – yes, I am generalising as well – that we just lack civic-mindedness.

Doesn’t matter if you are Malay, Chinese, Indian or ‘dan lain lain’, most Malaysians take a tidak apa attitude when it comes to acts that inconvenience others as the earlier example of local alfresco diners highlights.

Yes, some residents take liberties with altars and shrines placed outside their properties. But if we are accepting of businesses encroaching onto public spaces, perhaps a little more tolerance and understanding be displayed without resorting to racial rhetoric.

In the meantime, would it be too much to wish that illegal encroachment by makan shops and other businesses be subject to strict enforcement as well as opprobrium on social media? 

 Civic-Minded Citizen

Gombak, Kuala Lumpur

The views expressed are solely of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of  MMKtT.

- Focus Malaysia