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.