Why is govt silent on threats against temples?

 

 Is the Madani government failing to restore peace and stability in our multireligious society by allowing unscrupulous individuals to continue weaponising religious sentiments against other faiths?

The sequence of events unfolding today, where irresponsible groups openly challenge the rule of law by threatening to demolish a temple, is a grave threat to national peace and harmony.

This is not a minor issue. It is a direct assault on the foundations of our constitutional democracy.

Are we to believe that the government has no control over such elements? Or worse, are they deliberately allowing this to happen?

These groups are openly advertising their intentions in public forums and across social media, instigating others to gather and demolish a place of worship.

This is a clear breach of Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998. Yet, no visible action has been taken.

The silence and inaction create a dangerous perception that either the government is complicit or that someone powerful within the system is shielding these perpetrators.

They appear untouchable, immune, and above the law.

If that is the case, what happened to the reform promises? What happened to “equal and fair treatment for all Malaysians”?

Ignoring historical context

The government is aware that most of these temples were built during the colonial era, with the consent of the British and later the Japanese administrations.

All this happened long before Merdeka and before the National Land Code was enacted, when proper land documentation systems either did not exist or were entirely different.

To now brand these decades-old places of worship as illegal simply because they lack modern documentation is unjust and ignores historical realities, heritage value, and the faith of generations who have worshipped there peacefully for over a century.

The long-standing issues surrounding Hindu temples persist because the government has failed to decisively resolve temple and land ownership disputes, a matter that was part of its election commitments.

After three years in power, only now are some within the Madani administration realising the urgency of fulfilling those reform promises, and that too, after political shockwaves from Sabah sent a clear warning.

Penal Code offence

ADS

Threatening to demolish a place of worship is not rhetoric. It is an open challenge to the rule of law. It clearly violates Section 295 of the Penal Code, which covers injuring or defiling a place of worship.

Such actions also breach Section 295A of the same law, which covers deliberate and malicious acts intended to outrage religious feelings, and Section 506, which covers criminal intimidation.

Yet it appears the law does not apply to certain individuals. Why?

Is this a double standard? Selective enforcement? Or is there a hidden hand orchestrating this crisis for political gain?

Worse still, is this merely a calculated deflection to mask weakness and incompetence at the expense of another faith and the nation’s fragile harmony?

It is shameful that instead of upholding the rule of law decisively, some leaders are seen pleading through media statements for perpetrators to call off their gathering.

Leadership is not about begging lawbreakers. It is about enforcing the law without fear or favour. The government must act immediately. Enough of deflection.

Madani govt must act

The Indian community does not want to return to the streets as in 2007 to demand justice. However, patience should not be mistaken for weakness.

The Madani government carries a heavy responsibility to restore peace, stability, and confidence in its leadership. What we are witnessing now is the erosion of trust. Malaysians are losing faith.

The People's Progressive Party (PPP) demands immediate action against all those who are deliberately threatening the peace, harmony, and national security of this country.

The authorities must not delay or remain silent while provocative actions continue unchecked, and decisive enforcement must take place before Hindus are forced to take to the streets to demand justice and equal protection under the law. - Mkini

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LOGA BALA MOHAN is president of the People's Progressive Party.

The views expressed here are those of the author/contributor and do not necessarily represent the views of MMKtT.