Hindu shrine demolition in Kedah put on hold

 

A small Hindu shrine located at Jalan Awam, Sungai Petani has been issued a demolition notice by the Sungai Petani Municipal Council (MPSP).

However, the demolition was postponed after the MPSP agreed to hold prior discussions with all stakeholders.

The notice was issued on March 15 by the MPSP enforcement unit under which the Nagammal Temple in Taman Mutiara was given three days to clear up before being demolished by the council.

Kedah Menteri Besar Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor's special officer K Kumaresan said MPSP temporarily postponed the decision.

“After receiving a complaint from the temple, I rushed there.

“Along with two representatives of the temple, we had a discussion with the MPSP enforcement officer yesterday afternoon," he said. 

Bukit Selambau assemblyperson Summugam Rengasamy

Earlier, Bukit Selambau assemblyperson Summugam Rengasamy said the devotees were upset and did not know why the shrine was targeted for demolition.

"It's a small shrine, four metres by five metres. I have just visited it this morning. We are told if the temple is not removed by March 18, enforcement action will follow on March 19.

"I have written to MPSP head Syed Khairol Anuar Syed Abidin asking him to postpone the demolition until we can discuss this," he said.

Summugam pointed out that the Nagammal Temple has been there for 15 years.

"About 15 years ago, a Penang-based developer shifted some residents and built this small temple. It's small, not used for big prayers or functions, but just for simple devotion," he said.

Penang Deputy Chief Minister P Ramasamy

Weighing in on the matter, Penang Deputy Chief Minister P Ramasamy said if the demolition was to be carried out it would be another serious blemish on the record of the state government under Sanusi.

"Last year amidst the Covid-19 pandemic, two Hindu temples were demolished in the state; one a heritage temple in Alor Setar and another a few months later in Kulim.

"It appears that the Kedah PAS government has adopted a systematic approach to demolish Hindu temples especially those situated on government or private land," he claimed.

Ramasamy alleged that such demolitions were not mere accidents or done to ensure compliance with local government laws and regulations, going on to accuse Sanusi of practising extreme and non-tolerant leadership.

"If Sanusi could unilaterally cancel the Thaipusam holiday without any feelings of guilt or remorse, then one can imagine the sad fate of non-Muslim places of worship, especially those that have breached the law.

"With PAS an important component party of the Perikatan Nasional government, there is little that the federal authorities can do to restrain the Kedah administration," he added. - mkini