S'gor PR government under fire over temple demolition

;">KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 25 - The Pakatan Rakyat government in Selangor has come under fire from the MIC over the demolition of a Hindu temple in Ampang earlier this month.

MIC president Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu said the Ampang Jaya Municipal Council's action was against the Opposition pact's promise prior to the March 8 general election not to demolish temples.

The local council should have given sufficient notice and a land for the relocation of the temple before even considering to demolish the temple, he said in a statement today.

Samy Vellu was commenting on a newspaper report today on the demolition of the Sri Maha Kaliamman Temple on Sept 9, at Kampung Tasik, Jalan Baru in Ampang.

The demolition of a temple in Padang Jawa (Selangor) -- just before the 2008 general election in March 8 -- had angered many Hindus, and this was one of the reasons the Indians voted against the Barisan Nasional.

When contacted by Bernama, Ampang Member of Parliament Zuraidah Kamarudin said the temple was not supposed to have been demolished and that there were certain procedures which had to be followed, prior to the demolition.

She said the council had demolished the temple without the state government's consent.

"The Pakatan Rakyat government is very particular about religious issues, including mosques or temples," she added.

She said the state government was in the midst of discussion with the local council on the issue and further action would be taken after a thorough investigation of the matter.

"We have met the temple management and the Hindu residents in the area and have explained the situation to them. They understand the situation and they agreed to be patient until investigations are completed," she added.

- Bernama