Stupidity, lack of sensitivity, and inexperience all came into play in the debacle surrounding the demolition of a 100-year-old temple in Shah Alam on the eve of Deepavali last month.
And these were not the words of a non-governmental organisation or opposition party leader conveying the frustrations and bitterness within the Indian community.
This was Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Nazri Abdul Aziz’s view on the destruction of the Sri Maha Mariamman temple by Shah Alam City Council (MBSA) officers in Kampung Rimba Jaya.
“It was stupid of the officials not to be considerate (and) to look into sensitive matters like this. I believe it could have been done in a better way if (the state government) had just waited a few more days. Let the Hindus celebrate their Deepavali,” he said.
“Deepavali is a religious festival. It could have been handled much better and with more sensitivity (to) the feelings of the Hindus,” he added.
He was speaking to reporters at the sidelines of the two-day Colloquium on Good Governance, Rule of Law and Human Rights organised by the Asean Inter-Parliamentary Caucus for Good Governance (AIPCGG) and the Regional Working Group for an Asean Human Rights Mechanism. The event was held in Parliament.
Nazri was commenting on the resentment felt among Indians, many of whom say they have been discriminated and marginalised.
The Malaysia Hindu Sangam, the Malaysian Consultative Council of Buddhism Christianity, Hinduism, Sikhism and Taoism (MCCBCHST) and the Selangor Coalition of Indian Community Organisations has also voiced their anger over the incident.
Even MIC had issued a statement of protest over the issue and planned a ban on Deepavali celebrations.
Khir Toyo lacks experience
While Nazri does not think Selangor Menteri Besar Dr Mohd Khir Toyo has any “personal vendetta” against Hindus, he said the manner in which the latter implemented the state’s ‘zero squatters’ policy leaves much to be desired.
“I think we (can) put it to experience, which he probably lacks. I agree with you that matters touching religious issues should be handled more cautiously and not in a wanton way according to individual whims and fancies,” said Nazri.
However, the minister was not as acquiescing on the issue of the Hindu Rights Action Front (Hindraf) and its Nov 25 rally.
Nazri said the government had always listened to the complaints of the various communities and acted on them.
He cited his own decision to open Mara junior science colleges – which had previously been reserved to Malays – to Indian youths from poor families as well as the setting up of skills and training institutes exclusively for Indian youth.
“(There are claims that) not enough is being done for the Kadazan, for the Iban and for the Chinese. Even among the Malays (some) have been unhappy because they feel the NEP (National Economic Policy) benefited only a few people,” he said,
“But that does not (have to) make them demonstrate. You want to talk about pockets of people who are not happy, there are many pockets of unhappiness among Malays and Chinese. They don’t have to demonstrate,” he added.
Nazri said the thousands of Indians who protested on Nov 25 were “incited” to do so by Hindraf’s “lies” regarding the Malaysian government’s treatment of Indians.
Nazri said Barisan Nasional component parties or their youth wings would be in the wrong if they chose to demonstrate.
He admitted that he, in his youth, had also participated in demonstrations but had admitted his guilt and paid the penalty.
“When I was in Umno Youth, I did this too. I was brought to court, I admitted my guilt, and I paid the fine,” he said, contrasting this with Hindraf’s leaders who are seeking to defend their actions.
“Not like these ruffians, these thugs. They broke the law, but they want to defend themselves. They’re wasting court time, they’re wasting government resources and tax payers’ money,” he added.
Social contract
Asked regarding a survey commissioned by the Asia Foundation which found the majority of Chinese and Indian youths stating that they believe they were discriminated against in the country, Nazri said the incidence of inequality in Malaysia is undeniable.
However, he said this state of affairs is due to the social contract reached 50 years ago by representatives of the racial communities who agreed that Malays would enjoy certain privileges in return for the granting of citizenship rights to members of the migrant communities.
The only way such an arrangement can be changed is if future generations of Malaysians decide on revising that contract. Until then, said Nazri, the government is charged with carrying out the agreement.
“If there is any unhappiness, then it is entirely up to the future generations of Malaysians, regardless of whether they are Indians, Chinese or Malays, for them to sit down (and discuss),” he said.
“It’s not just about what the Indian and Chinese (youths) want. You have to ask the Malays also, whether they want the social contract to be renegotiated. It’s up to them…. As of today, I know the Malays are not prepared to renegotiate,” he added.
Commenting on the request by Hindraf to meet Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi over the issue of Hindu rights, Nazri said it may happen as long as the front did not impose any conditions on the government.
Nazri also said MIC president S Samy Vellu would have to be present at the meeting.
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The tearing down of the Sri Maha Mariamman temple touched a raw nerve in the Indian community not only as it occurred on the eve of Deepavali, but because it was the latest in a series of demolitions undertaken by the Selangor state government on Hindu temples in the state. 
