Hindu temple to be rebuilt on a new site

Penang Port Sdn Bhd chairman Hilmi Yahaya ticks off CM Lim for blaming Umno-BN for the demolition of the 40-year-old house of worship.

GEORGE TOWN: Umno assemblyman Dr Hilmi Yahaya hit out at Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng for propagating politics of hatred over the demolition of a Hindu temple last month.

Teluk Bahang representative Hilmi said Lim has stirred the religious sensitivities of Hindus by blaming Umno and Barisan Nasional for the demolition.

He said Lim could have instead easily resolved the issue by engaging Penang port management, the Penang Port Sdn Bhd (PPSB).

“He attempted to create hatred among Hindus against Umno and BN when we are the innocent parties,” said Hilmi, also the PPSB chairman.

The 40-year-old temple located just outside the Prai Bulk Cargo Terminal (PBCT) was demolished in April.

PBCT general manager, Abdul Halim Abdul Kader apparently ordered the demolition citing the temple posed danger because it was located next to a chemical pipeline.

Hilmi maintained that PBCT management ordered the demolition with his knowledge.

However, Lim was quick to lay the blame on Umno and BN for the tearing down of the temple.

At the recent assembly sitting, Lim even warned that Hindu temples could be in danger if Umno was returned to power in Penang.

Irked by Lim’s comments, state opposition leader Azhar Ibrahim lodged a police report against the DAP secretary-general over his comments.

Malay supremacist organisation Perkasa also conducted mock Hindu funeral rites for Lim outside his residence, claiming that the chief minister was inciting racial and religious hatred.

PPSB has now identified several plots of land to rebuild the temple.

Hilmi said PPSB would rebuild the temple within the port area at a 1.5km distance from nearest chemical pipeline.

“It’s a temple issue and involves religious sensitivity. The chief minister should have been more responsible in his statements.

“He should not politicise everything for his own selfish ends,” said the normally mild-mannered Hilmi.