Not sure if this is the first time or not, but first time I’m reading that a senior government official is being suspended a week effective today (well a week during Raya time is like holiday actually!) over a temple demolishment. Granted that its more of insubordination rather than the issue itself, but still a bold move by the state government.

State Local Government, Research and Study committee chairman Ronnie Liu said Ampang Jaya Muni­cipal Council (MPAJ) deputy president Hamid Hussain was being suspended pending investigations, since he was the one who allegedly ordered that the Sri Maha­kaliaman temple be demolished. According to Ronnie, the decision was made yesterday, adding that investigation by the state three-man committee on non-Muslim religious affairs comprising Teresa Kok, Dr Xavier Jayakumar and himself has begun.

“We are expecting the investigation results by Monday and we will look into the next course of action after that,” he said when contacted yesterday.

Among other things Ronnie mentioned was:

– the council president was on leave when the temple was demolished and Hamid, as the deputy, had reportedly decided on the matter.

– the state government would find a solution to the problem of the Sri Mahakaliaman temple soon.

– so far 27 permits for places of worship, including churches, Hindu temples and Chinese temples on government land, had been given since the Pakatan Rakyat took over the state government.This showed that the state government was very concerned and sensitive to religious matters, he said.

– the state government hoped not to see any new places of worship coming up on land designated as forest and river reserves. He said the people should understand that these reserves should not be occupied for other than the intended use.

Meanwhile, the man in question, Hamid Hussain. who has holidaying in Langkawi, said he did not know anything about the council’s decision to suspend him.

“I’m on Hari Raya leave now and I don’t know what is going on,” he said, adding that he had not received any notice from the state government or council.

When contacted, MPAJ president Datuk Mohammad Yacob said that he had been informed of Hamid’s suspension. “The suspension is the state exco’s decision,” he said.

“We will follow whatever decision the state exco makes as we are all here to serve the public.”

Mohammad declined further comment but said that he would wait for an interim report on the issue next week.

The state government had taken some initial action, but let’s see how serious they are in settling this problem. As MIC demanded – publish the investigation results, allocate land for the temple, and rebuilt it. I’m sure they will because according to Mohan, the temple committee are Pakatan Rakyat “supporters”.

Meanwhile, another state EXCO, Elizabeth Wong apologised on her blog and provided more clarification. Interesting to note that she realized that the temple was in FOREST reserve, thus falls under the Forestry Department and not MPAJ. Thus, according to her, MPAJ had no jurisdiction to enter and demolish the building. Not sure how true that is. Excerpts from her blog:

The Pakatan Rakyat Selangor state government policy is clear:- That no place of worship (whether surau, tokong, kuil, church etc.) built prior to 8 March 2008 is to be demolished, unless and until a suitable site has been identified for relocation.

So, imagine our horror when we found out a Hindu shrine was demolished recently. No doubt it might have been built in a forest reserve or wherever for that matter, but the policy still stands regardless; we begin with the premise that most of these places of worship were forced over the years into this grey zone, and neglected until recently.

MPAJ should not have done what it did and more so, when it is not within its jurisdiction but of Forestry Department since it is a forest reserve. This afternoon, I checked with Forestry officers and (I am somewhat relieved) they were neither involved nor aware of the operation.

This lack of compliance of directives from the Pakatan Rakyat state government is something we have been battling from Day 1. However, this is not saying everyone is recalcitrant or trying to sabotage us, but there were a number of occasions which raised eyebrows and voices. Still, the MB is somewhat very optimistic that we are able to reason and to convince all the staff that ‘our’ way or the Pakatan Rakyat’s policies are better for all.

But not in the above case of clear defiance which reeks of sabotage. Suffice to say, we have taken action on the high-ranking officer who gave the order for the demolition (and who can’t possibly feign ignorance in this matter) and amends shall be made.

(But since I have stated my preference to the Menteri Besar that only one of us speak, as opposed to four, five spokespersons in the past couple of days, I shall let the person-in-charge give the public the details later today.)

The larger picture is this:- Many of these sites of worship have been built in the last 50 years or so (if not longer) on grounds not gazetted or unsuitable for religious purposes. This is due to the practice of town planning based on politics as opposed to needs and foresight. They should not be forced to go under high tension wired places or on river reserves, or in forests and factory lots – they deserve to be part of our Malaysian public landscape (and in fact, some should be considered part of our history and heritage). Which is why I am proposing to some of the local draft plans that are undergoing review to start putting in areas for religious purposes (apart from more cemeteries, parks etc.). At the same time, the process of registering these places of worship is also ongoing.

This issue is not just an ‘Indian’ issue, but one which every Pakatan Rakyat representative, regardless of one’s ethnic or religious background, is committed to resolving.

To my Hindu friends and readers, please accept my apologies and at the same time, I sincerely urge everyone to allow our Pakatan Rakyat government to continue to make things right and to implement just and sustainable solutions to our multiple, long-standing problems.

Its good to hear that Elizabeth talking about the larger picture – we have seen places of worships built due to political interference, instead of a proper policy or guideline. Who wants to go to a temple which is next to a water tank for the “taman” or is next to an oxidation pond? However, we have to see how far such “nice to hear things” are put into place and followed.