50-year-old Hindu temple demolished in Setapak

Is MIC hiding? Another temple demolished even after a senior MIC official - Deputy Minister (Federal Territory) had given a letter claiming nothing will happen. Will the Indians keep VOTING FOR BN?

The 50-year-old Perianna Muneswarar Hindu temple in Air Panas, Setapak was razed in less than 20 minutes by Kuala Lumpur City Council (DBKL) workers today.

"The DBKL workers demolished the temple at about 11.30am, and they came without any warning," said Kasiamma Perumal, the caretaker of the temple.

"We had approached Deputy Federal Territories Minister M Saravanan upon receiving a notice from DBKL six months ago, and he permitted us to use a piece of adjacent land for temple usage in a letter dated April 7," she added.

She, however, lamented that the land was taken away about a month ago.

The 55-year-old also told Malaysiakini that the DBKL officials had dismissed a letter by Saravanan, claiming that it is not valid.

She added that a police report will be lodged later today on the matter.

Attempts by Malaysiakini to reach Saravanan for comments on the issue were, however, futile.

Between 2004 and 2007, 96 Hindu temples were demolished in the state of Selangor alone at an average of one Hindu temple being demolished every ten days.

HRP blasts Umno-led government

In a related development, Human Rights Party (HRP) secretary-general P Uthayakumar blasted the Umno-led government for allowing continued temple demolitions despite protests by various groups.

In a statement released today, he also condemned the most recent temple demolition of the temple in Setapak.

Uthayakumar asked: " Why there are still temple demolitions in the country when Saravanan has promised there will be no more such incidents, especially in the federal capital?"

"This latest act by DBKL is a crime punishable with three years' jail, according to Section 295 of the Penal Code (Injuring or defiling a place of worship with intent to insult the religion of any class)," he added.

When contacted earlier, HRP information chief S Jayathas said he had asked the opposition parties to bring up the temple demolition to the Parliament.

courtesy of Malaysiakini