SHAH ALAM, Sept 2 – The Selangor state government has decided to engage with all interested parties, including media, NGOs, state and federal representatives, and grassroots leaders over the proposed relocation of a Hindu temple which was the subject of an ugly protest in the state capital last Friday.
The dialogues, which are to take place this month, are in addition to a planned town hall meeting with Section 23 residents on September 5.
A pamphlet will also be made available to the public on Saturday to explain the state’s decision to relocate the 150 year old Sri Maha Mariamman Temple from Section 19, where it is now surrounded by a housing estate, to Section 23 in Shah Alam.
The Pakatan Rakyat state government is not legally obligated to hold the talks as the proposed site meets existing town planning laws but it appears to be trying to show it is being transparent on the issue and head off any attempts by its political rivals to take advantage of the temple relocation.
Umno ministers, including Datuk Seri Hishamuddin and Datuk Noh Omar have involved themselves in the issue, including making visits to the proposed site, and accused the state government of going against the Federal constitution and ignoring the sensitivities of Muslims.
Independent MP Datuk Ibrahim Ali had also hit out at the Selangor government for allegedly ignoring the opinions of section 23 residents and was quoted as saying that the stomping of the cow head at the protest was directed at the Selangor state government and not at Hindus.
Ibrahim was also reported to have said that the temple was a hideout for gangsters and many police reports were lodged on the matter and those who complained had the number 303 painted on their house.
The state government said today that it will send letters to them regarding the relocation.
“The crisis was not caused by the Selangor state government,” said Selangor Menteri Besar Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim today in a press conference. “There are some parties out to exploit the situation.”
Khalid said that the state had researched several locations before identifying section 23 and appeared to indicate that the state government is likely to stick to its decision.
However, when asked to confirm if the temple relocation to Section 23 will proceed, he replied that dialogue participants are free to suggest better sites.
He added that the Sultan of Selangor was aware of the situation.
Asked to comment on Hishamuddin’s planned meeting with Section 23 residents, Khalid replied that the home minister was free to meet them but he was more concerned with Hishamuddin’s response to the cow head protest on Friday.
“I am interested to see what he is doing to do,” said Khalid.
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