Subscribe in a reader | Subscribe by Email The temple demolishment in Padang Jawa area (Sri Maha Mariamman Temple, Taman Karuppiah, Shah Alam) was first highlighted in the UMIC forum by one of the members. However, confirmation came in after 6pm, while SMSes started to arrive after 8pm.
I checked with an acquaintance in the print media yesterday night, who did not anything about it. Nothing was mentioned in the news at Vaanavil Bernama, TV2, TV3 buletin Utama, and Nightline. Nothing too in Star Online, NST, The Sun etc. Only report was in Malaysiakini. This was preceded by statements issued by Hindraf and MHS.
From what we have read, Hindraf paints a terrible picture of massacre level – equating MBSA with Myanmar's junta. Still, we have to take it with a pinch of salt.
Some reports mentioned that even MBSA staff were injured. Well, I guess the people didn't give any quarters.
Malaysiakini mentioned that the area was to be cleared – houses, temple and a surau as well. It also quoted DAP's representative saying that Samy Vellu mentioned Khir Toyo being stubborn (un-cooperative) and did not want to give any time for discussions. I suppose what made the people angry is the insensitivity shown by the government servants in dealing with the public.
MHS as usual issued a statement, which will be disposed into recycle bins as fast as they arrived in emails and print. People may get fed up with this soon.
Since this was done in a hurried manner, I suspect money has a bigger role rather than an agenda to get rid of Indians or to create racial tension. In the end, its all about the money trail or as it is often put "benefits to the rakyat" (read: certain rakyat only, especially those living in houses bigger than some schools). Of course, I have no proof. But if the law is on your side, would you still go bulldozing ahead and do things illegally?
The action by Khir Toyo does not bode well. After all the committees, discussions, task forces etc being created at federal and state level to amicably solve these kind of religious issues, he goes ahead and does as he likes. This flies in the face of MIC and MHS who called for restraint and asked the Indians not to retaliate in earlier cases throughout the country.
Well, I guess no one will be inviting Khir Toyo for Deepavali open house this year! Unless shameless Kamala Ganapathy, Komala, Samy Vellu, Palanivel etc. does an about turn and say that Khir Toyo is Pembela Rakyat India!
why the mansion that belong to a datuk in klang.. still standing tall? build by port Klang assemblyman Datuk Zakaria Mat Deros
why double standard?
A more balanced and saner view….too much untrue has been reported in the blogosphere on this issue.
‘Bulldozing faith’: Hindus not under siege
Tanglimara
Nov 5, 07 6:34pm Adjust font size:
Majlis Bandaraya Shah Alam (MBSA) is not an organisation known for its compassion or respect for cultural and religious practices and sensitivities. They did not exactly cover themselves in glory by their high-handed and brutal action at Kg Rimba Jaya and Kg Karuppiah, Padang Jawa, on Oct 31, where scores of houses, a surau and a temple were flattened to ground.
Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi often laments the existence of Little Napoleons who sabotage the well-intentioned policies of the government. Well, MBSA is no Little Napoleon – it is an entire Roman Legion on the loose; rampaging and brutalising the very people they were meant to serve.
One can only wonder why MBSA is willing to act decisively and even be prepared to use force when powerful commercial interests are involved, but drags it feet and appears toothless in other more important issues of public interest. This certainly reflects very poorly upon the Selangor Menteri Besar Khir Toyo’s administration.
Much has been said about the demolition of the 100-year-old (which is certainly an exaggeration) Sri Maha Mariamman temple by the MBSA and how MIC president S Samy Vellu was powerless to help the Indian community. However, the alternative media was strangely muted when the works minister managed, within days, to get both funds and land from the Selangor government to relocate and rebuild the temple.
Such selective reporting by the alternative media raises questions about its objectivity and impartiality. It also certainly gives credence to the accusations that those who expressed solidarity with the community on this issue are merely out to exploit the sentiments of the Indian community to score political points and paint the ruling coalition, especially Umno, as racist.
While I very much disagree with the high-handed tactics of MBSA, the fact remains that the residents do not have an iota of legal or ethical rights to the land they have been illegally occupying. While I am not familiar with the specifics of the case, I can guess what had probably transpired based on numerous previous instances. Truth is often the first victim when politics and emotions are involved and I don’t think it was any different in this case.
In most of these cases, news reports fail to disclose the fact that the residents had been issued numerous evictions notices over the years. In many cases, the developer and the local government would have offered compensation (either in the form of money or housing) for the affected illegal squatters. Some would have taken up the offer and moved on.
However, there will be always a group of opportunists – agitated and encouraged by some NGOs and political parties – who would hold on and make outrageous and impossible demands. This group of people somehow fail to take cognisance of the fact that the offer is purely based on humanitarian grounds and the residents have no legal rights whatsoever for compensations.
In many cases, such negotiations dragged on for years. In the end, drastic actions such as demolitions were taken when the patience of the developer and the local government finally run dry. In fact, this might well be the case in Kg Rimba Jaya and Kg Karuppiah.
Now, coming back to the issue of temple demolition, I truly wish MBSA realises that demolishing a temple is an affront to the faith of the Indian community. This incident has been skilfully exploited by certain irresponsible elements, turning it into a racial and religious issue. This should serve as a lesson to all town councils and the state governments.
Interestingly, while the issue of temple demolitions in Malaysia has been given international publicity by some NGOs, such demolitions are common occurrences in India.
In fact, the relocation of the Seri Maha Mariamman temple of Kg Karuppiah is also totally unnecessary as there are more than enough temples in the vicinity of Padang Jawa/Klang area for the Hindus to fulfill their religious obligations.
The MIC and the Malaysian Hindu Sagham (MHS) are fully aware of the problem of illegal places of worship and are conducting a survey in order to “legalise” them and prevent further constructions of such illegal structures.
However, unlike the proactive efforts of the MIC and the MHS, Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) has been pursuing a destructive strategy and illegal action that would do nothing to improve the situation. Headed by individuals with a strong predilection for cheap publicity and melodrama, Hindraf has been nothing but a hindrance to an amicable and legal solution of the problem.
Hindraf’s dangerous actions of confronting and obstructing the authorities, getting arrested in order to gain cheap publicity will not solve the problems of illegal temples in the country. On the contrary, such actions will put the Malaysia Hindus into a state of siege and worsen the situation.
Also Hindraf’s refusal to cooperate with the MIC and the MHS in taking proactive measures exposes the fact that its leaders are merely using emotional issues in confronting society to achieve their personal agenda and are uninterested in finding a permanent solution.
Being a Hindu myself, I appeal to my fellow believers to refrain from building illegal religious structures as there are more than enough places of worship available for the community in the country. We cannot expect Samy Vellu to fight for an alternative site every time an illegal temple is demolished as there are hundreds of them and more are added daily. There are more than enough temples for Hindus to pray, and in fact I am willing to bet that in terms of per capita, there are more Hindu temples than mosques in Malaysia.
The Indian community needs to understand there is no persecution of Hindus and the blame lies solely with them for erecting places of worship without consideration to law or the sensitivities of the other communities in our multi-religious nation. Constitutional right allows us the freedom of religion but not the right to build temples wherever we wish to.
Reply to Killer:
I’m not sure where the article appeared, but here’s my comment:
The temple is 37 years old according to the temple committee secretary.
The land was already allocated by developer and is in the plans. The fund is something that MIC managed to get.
Selective reporting happens in all our media. That’s why we should subscribe to many channels and get the balanced view. Not sure if you can access Tamil papers (Nesan being MIC mouthpiece), Makkal Osai etc. which also wrote in detail about the temple (and if follow your words, accuse UMNO as racists). All fingers pointed to MBSA. The eye witnesses (i have two emails from them posted in this blog) tell how it happened. Btw, a MK video shows how a malay lady condemns MBSA for not being understanding and demolishing house during month of Syawal and while their kids are going for exam. I’m not saying that MK is an angel, but they did show comments from non-indians as well.
The houses were given notice, but not the temple. in fact the case was decided 3 years ago, but notice came out this year only. that’s why the author used the word “might” (In fact, this might well be the case in Kg Rimba Jaya and Kg Karuppiah.). But the councilors, MIC bigwigs etc, in anticipation of problem did have discussion till the day before. They thought the demolition could be delayed a little bit till after Deepavali. But to everyone’s surprise, a big “army” came early in the morning and converged at the temple. even a plea to give them some time to move the deities were ignored. The “attack” focused on deities while the structure of the building was still intact. Isn’t that provocation on the MBSA behalf?
I agree that there seem to be many temples for hindus. we should not be constructing new ones as we like. maybe can relocate those in under-utilized areas to areas which have more indians. on another hand, hindus pray to different deities for different purpose, thus the reason for various temples. Yes our God is one, but is represented in various forms , something that our multiracial community may have failed to understand. being in a multiracial environment, those who are responsible must be more vigilant, understanding and careful when handling religious issues. If not, any group can take advantage.
just to add, those temple that were established before independence, how do we decide their status? what about those in private land.
another thing, before Hindraf came into the picture, we never heard of temples being demolished appearing in papers. does it mean that (a) temples were not demolished, (b) the “closed door” efforts of MIC/MHS etc was successful in relocation/avoiding demolishment, or (c) no one bothered to keep track of the demolishments that happened?
Did MBSA and selangor MB learn a lesson? I have no idea. No apologies so far, so i suppose they didn’t.
i’m interested on this comment: “Headed by individuals with a strong predilection for cheap publicity and melodrama”. I can’t think of any leader in our country who isn’t. 🙂
The author raised some good points, and i just added my comments.
…Here is an indian girl who is very dissapointed with the country that she is living..Im Nila..aware of what is going on to our indian society..Why are we being treated like this..??..so called malaysia is multiracial country..it ends with words..thats it..as an indian..i do feel the pain that the whole indian society is going through..i really do hope there will be something that i can contribute to this..but the question is..how is it possible..?..All i could do is hold my dissatisfaction towards this country..we indians will not get justice..because our existance on this land is so insignificant to the rulers..speaking with full of hatred..as one individual..being a student..all i could do is..use my knowledge gained elsewhere but not in malaysia..settle down at some foreign countries..never i will serve this country at any time..dear indians..we are so insignificant to them..show them how important we are by not voting..or celebating any national events..we can make a difference..prayers for indian for better living on e better lands…..Nila..
Nila..here here. What wonderful suggestions
Yenna kodumai sarrrr MIC!HINDRAF valga…
Respect is the fundamantal birth right of every living thing,distortion of their habitat with a wrong intention will on reap what you sow.Wait for mother nature to reply if you don,t repend now.