NONEPuchong MP Gobind Singh Deo has lambasted Selangor Menteri Besar Abdul Khalid Ibrahim for his silence over the demolition of a Hindu shrine in Sepang last month.

"Despite the severity of the situation and the mass condemnation from both sides of the political divide, Abdul Khalid has chosen to keep silent up until now.

"Silence in situations like these by the menteri besar, is to my mind clearly unacceptable," he said in a statement yesterday.

State exco Xavier Jeyakumar had on Thursday decried sabotage after Sepang Municipal Council (MPS) on Nov 20 demolished a shrine within the compound of a Hindu resident.
Some 30 MPS enforcement officers on Nov 20 marched into the gated compound of Umah Devi's house in Bandar Baru Salak Tinggi, Sepang, and proceeded to demolish a small altar there.

According to Xavier, the state had instructed all local councils not to demolish any places of worship that were constructed before 2008.

'MB must act fast'

Gobind demanded to know how was it possible for MPS officers to act directly against the expressed orders of the state government.

"Why did they do it? He (Abdul Khalid) should also show he is serious and act against those who disobey," he said.

Gobind added that he has been informed of other possible similar demolitions, and stressed that Abdul Khalid must respond swiftly.

"The menteri besar must put a stop to this and he must act fast. He must meet with all the local council chiefs and officials from the land office and demand that they follow orders.

"This is a serious matter. The menteri besar must take it seriously and react in a manner which would reflect sincerity and seriousness on part of his government in dealing with the problem," he said.