Temple row: Perlis ready to face lawsuit; 3 mosques will hold 'solat hajat' over haze

 

Perlis temple demolition

• The Perlis state government is prepared to face any civil lawsuits following last Thursday's demolition of the Veeramakaliamman Temple in Bukit Lagi.

  Menteri Besar Abu Bakar Hamzah said that the state government had absolute rights over the property's ownership under the National Land Code and that the decision to demolish the temple had taken various aspects into consideration, Berita Harian reported.

  Abu Bakar (above) also reportedly advised groups attempting to stir racial sentiments through planned gatherings to stop.

  He reminded parties from outside Perlis not to interfere in or take part in such gatherings as well, while advising government supporters to remain calm and leave the matter to the authorities. 

  Abu Bakar claimed that the state government had given sufficient time at the initial stage, and alleged that the temple committee had only submitted a memorandum without any resolution, causing the process to be delayed for too long before action was taken.  

• Activist Arun Dorasamy said that the planned protest for Aug 30 has been cancelled after a lawsuit was filed against the state government.

  

  Activist Arun Dorasamy

  “As the temple was demolished without any notice, we wanted to perform prayers there, on the site where the temple was. 

  “However, we decided to cancel the protest yesterday and lodged a police report instead, to inform the authorities of the cancellation,” Arun told Malaysiakini.

  He said the lawsuit was filed a day before the demolition, and the protest was called off as it could potentially prejudice the court case.

Haze

• The Islamic Development Department (Jakim) will hold solat hajat sessions (special prayer of needs) at three mosques tonight, following the haze affecting the country.

  

  Bernama reported Jakim director-general Sirajuddin Suhaimee saying in a statement that it would be held after Maghrib prayers at the National Mosque in Kuala Lumpur, as well as Putra Mosque and Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin Mosque in Putrajaya.

  ADS

  He added that the initiative is in line with Pahang ruler Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah’s decree, in which he called on all Malaysians to seek Allah’s help for the well-being of those affected, as well as Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) Zulkifli Hasan’s call to undertake the effort.

Theme park accident

• The Occupational Safety and Health Department (Dosh) is conducting a detailed investigation, including a forensic probe, into the roller coaster incident at Sunway Lagoon on Aug 22. 

  In a statement today, Dosh director-general Hazlina Yon said that under the Occupational Safety and Health Act 1994, employers are responsible for ensuring the safety, health and welfare of their workers and other people, including the public.

  She said Dosh will also assess the need for targeted inspections of high-risk facilities at theme parks nationwide, adding that they will also assess owners’ and employers’ compliance with safe operating procedures, maintenance requirements and competency testing for personnel operating facilities.

  Bernama yesterday reported that Sunway Theme Parks said it is working closely and fully cooperating with all relevant authorities as they conduct a thorough investigation into the incident which affected 10 guests. - Mkini