Subscribe in a reader | Subscribe by Email According to Waytha, this was one of the temples that sparked HINDRAF into action. This particular Kaliamman temple in Kampung Tasik, Jalan Baru in Ampang was tried to be demolished a few times, and on 9th Sptember 2008 (two weeks ago), MPAJ officials demolished most of the temple. After that, I remember reading Selangor EXCO (can’t remember who) saying that the state government viewed this seriously and action will be taken against the officers because never consult with the councillors/committee/EXCO first.
Then, we have the following action from MIC:
Samy Vellu condemns the demolishment and took a swipe at the state goverment because it failed to uphold its promise not to demolish any temples. He said the state should have ordered the local council not to demolish it.
Well, I think the local council did not heed the state government ruling. So, we expect to see some heads to roll. Pakatan leaders must talk their words and get rid of such troublemakers in the local council. Having said that, let’s count how many officials were reprimanded or disciplined while MIC was in power via BN prior to this. Anyone with any figures?
Obviously its careless and an injustice to remove demolish the temple without relocating it first. so, stiff punishment is expected.
A very “fast” action from MIC is that after reading in the papers about the demolishment which happened two weeks ago, its Selangor Youth Chief went to make a police report. They are able to take action after two weeks, which is relatively fast, though not as fast as the old opposition. Looks like the opposition party MIC must be a bit more faster in the future and get news from the grassroots immediately.
While Samy is blaming the state goverment over the actions of the local council, I think this shows the lack of authority and cooperation between this two entities. Local councils come under the Housing and Local Government Ministry. If a new state government faces such disobedience from local council, just imagine what respect MIC got in the last decade from these councils. I guess DBKL, MPAJ etc. don’t even give face to MIC leaders, that’s why we had many cases of temple demolishment. So, we can say that MIC is powerless to stop this problem and its not their fault? And now when the new party takes over, same problem. So who is to blame? the local council, the state government or the federal government?
I remember the Selangor state government saying that no more places of worships will be demolished, and establishment of some committees (just like BN style). the EXCO in charge of local government, Ronnie Liu says:
Ronnie Liu, who is chairman of the state’s local government, study and research committee, said the state had issued a directive to all local councils to halt action against places of worship when it came into power but the officers defied the order.
He said that in taking the action last month the officers also bypassed the committee on non-Muslim affairs headed by state executive councillors Teresa Kok, Dr Xavier Jayakumar and himself.
“I contacted the council president a day after the incident and asked him to investigate the matter and identify those involved,” he said.
“I was told that he has submitted a preliminary report to my office but I have not read it since I am away in China now so it would be unfair for me to comment further.”
Liu had said a day after the incident that he was upset with the council officers’ actions and threatened that they would face stiff action.
A day after the incident. Not two weeks.
Poobaan
You are wrong in saying that the local councils are under the purview of the Federal govt. They in fact controlled by the state govts and that is one of the reasons why some of these councils were behaving like little Napoleans and acting with impunity.
However, there is absolutely no excuse in this case. How come MPAJ is so brave when it is now totally controlled by PR appointed councillors whom are almost all from PR parties. In fact there are 2 Indians in the council.
Based on my experience, any major decisions had to be approved by the council and questions must be asked on the role of these councillors. For so long the temple has been spared and now all of a sudden, it has been demolished. Worse still some PR members tried to sweep the issue under carpet by using their media contacts and buying the silence of the Indian residents and even HINDRAF members.
Ronnie Liu is showing a lack of responsibility by blaming lower ranking officers for this. If the PR govt is serious, they would have introduced regulations to prevent such abuses. Clearly they only had been talking until now.
So where is Teresa Kok and Xavier ? What they have done to prevent this ?
So my question is, will the PR Indian MPs will come out strongly against this ? Would they resign over this ? Would Ronnie take responsibility and resign also ? Would Khalid, Teresa, Xavier, LKS and Anwar apologise ?
As for punishing the culprits, please lah. Once the heat is off, this will be forgotten. Just like Zulkifli Nordin.
You know why such things will continue despite the empty promises of Ronnie ? PKR and PAS have many extremist members. Just look at the composition of MPAJ, see how many of them look like Islamofascist ?
BTW, would HINDRAF take the streets ? Would they boycott PR’s Hari Raya and Deepavali functions ? would they submit memos to Anwar and Khalid ?
Please recall that already one temple in Kapar demolished and even the hero Manikavasagam cannot stop it despite being a MP.
It only goes to show that the Indian MPs and ADUNs in PR are merely political pets of Anwar and LKS merely for decorative purposes.
I know I am kicking myself in the legs, but I agree with Killer on this one (lol, how many times have I actually agreed with Killer?? 😉
I only agree with his first two paragraphs though, its sad because all subsequent paragraphs were full of Killer’s usual self.
I agree that local councils are under direct administration of state governments, which means MPAJ was under direct administration of Selangor government.
Which means, there is no excuse from PR officials. PR people, you made the same mistake the previous government did, and which in turn got you elected. I don’t think the voters are going to be happy, so better come out and explain and apologise.
On looking at the pictures, its not much of a temple, or shrine for that matter. But still, regardless of the form of the building, legal or not, the council SHOULD have consulted with the temple caretakers beforehand.
On another note, building a temple is a sacred task. One has many procedures to build a temple, from a religious point of view. Direction of the sun, the surroundings, proximity of water sources etc. Looking at the pictures, I am inclined to say the original buildings were not of professional stature.
So please I urge all Hindus, do not just build temples anywhere you like, even if legally built. Please exercise professionalism.
Read in the STAR today the MP Zuraida claimed actually the temple is under renovation !!! While on the same report, Xavier was quoted to have blame MPAJ officials..So much for a transparent and honest governance…
In another report PR claimed it was not even a temple but a shed…and it was in a forest reserve.
So PR is spin-doctoring mode and trying con Indians. May be tomorrow we will read that there was no such temple and it was all just a lie by Samy.
Interestingly, the Chief HINDRAF Goonda in London, Waytha instead of demanding answers, had instead speculated that MIC and UMNO was behind this. Funnily, he did not provide any proof neither did PR govt pointed finger at MIC.
I wonder if HINDRAF will change its name to ETRAF (Ettapan Rights AF) since they are more keen to protect the image of PR than the rights of Hindu. Again, claims that HINDRAF is just a front for PR only gaining more credence by the action of GOONDRAF.
there were dozens of temples demolished under BN while mic in power , so mic shd change its name to ettapan IC (eic)…… you members pls consult Killer before stepping up rebranding exercise..ok? thanks for the advice Killer .
Killi
What are you trying to imply ? It is OK to demolish temples in PR states ?
Sactyr
I had been telling Indians about being more responsible in building temples for years so I agree with your last point. But I would attach more credibility to such statement if you had been consistent in your stance before the March 8.
As for Ampang temple, may I remind you that it was there for 19 years and in 18 plus years it was left untouched…I wonder why the drastic action now ??
Killer and Sactyr,
There is the local council act 1976 (if i’m not mistaken) which governs the local council. However, local council can have their own bylaws. Which is why local councils are, as you guys said, under the state governments.
my apologies.