T'ganu man accused of planning temple attack to be tried in KL

Malaysiakini

The Kuala Terengganu Sessions Court has consented to an application by prosecutors to transfer the trial of a man, facing eight terrorism charges, to the Kuala Lumpur High Court.

The ruling was made by Sessions Court judge Nooriah Osman.

Mahadi Mamat, 33, was charged under various subsections of Section 130 of the Penal Code which relates to terrorism.

He was accused of procuring a Czech-made CZ 75 pistol, 15 bullets and six pipe bombs with the intention of committing terrorist activities.

He was also accused of planning to assassinate four high-profile Malaysian citizens in an instant messaging group titled "Sejati Sejiwa".

According to the facts of the case, Mahadi was arrested on suspicion of planning an attack on the Sri Mahamariamman Seafield temple in Subang Jaya.

The temple was the centre of a land dispute which later resulted in several nights of rioting. One fire and rescue personnel Muhammad Adib Mohd Kassim died after suffering injuries at the scene.

According to Bukit Aman's anti-terrorism division director Ayob Khan Mydin Pitchay, Mahadi was accused of leading a terrorist cell which has been dismantled.

The accused was detained and questioned for 28 days under Section 4(1) Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012.

Mahadi will remain in custody at the Sungai Buloh prison until his case is up for mention at the Kuala Lumpur High Court.

"The police are always on the look-out for wayward individuals who can threaten public order.

"We urge the public to report extremist elements to the police to help us maintain peace and harmony," Ayob Khan told Malaysiakini.

Damaging temple statues: Medical grad freed

Psychiatrist confirms that accused suffers from bipolar disorder and did not know he was committing an offence at the time.

A medical graduate charged with damaging statues of Hindu deities at the Sree Muneeswaran Amman Kovil Temple here last April was acquitted after he was found to be mentally unsound when committing the act.

Sessions Court Judge Ikmal Hishan Mohd Tajuddin, in his judgment, said it was clearly proven that the accused Fathi Munzir Nadzri, 29, committed the offence, but a psychiatrist confirmed that he was suffering from “Bipolar Affective Disorder with Psychotic Features Manic Phase”.

“Yes, he did it, but on the balance of probabilities, he was found to have done it while he was in an unstable state of mind and did not know that he was committing an offence.

“As such, the accused is acquitted under Section 347 of the Criminal Procedure Code with a warning according to (Act 593) Section 348 Criminal Procedure Code for the safe custody of person acquitted,” the judge said.

The court also acquitted and discharged Fathi Munzir on the charge of possessing a machete on the same date and place.

“On the possession of the machete, several doubts were raised, including the testimony of the main witness who said he saw the accused carrying something like a rod and not a machete, and that the seized weapon was not checked for fingerprints,” he said.

Fathi Munzir was charged with causing damage to the statues at the temple located in front of Angsana Mall shopping centre and being in possession of a machete about 5pm on April 24.

On the charge of damaging the statues under Section 295 of the Penal Code, Fathi Munzir could have been sentenced up to two years, a fine, or both, upon conviction.

For possessing the machete, the accused was charged under Section 6(1) of the Corrosive and Explosive Substances and Offensive Weapons Act 1958, which provides a maximum of 10 years’ jail and whipping, upon conviction.

On April 29, the court ordered Fathi Munzir to undergo an examination and treatment for a month at Hospital Bahagia.

The prosecution was conducted by deputy public prosecutor Fadhli Ab Wahab while the accused was represented by Tun Mohamad Ammar Aziz.

Two charged with plotting terror attacks in JB

The two men are accused of plotting an attack on a temple and nightclubs in Johor between June 27 and July 2.

BATU PAHAT: Two men were produced today in the Batu Pahat Magistrate’s Court on charges of plotting an attack on a temple and nightclubs in Johor Bahru between June 27 and July 2.

Md Saifuddin Muji, 28, and Jasanizam Rosni, 33, were accused of committing the offence at an unnumbered house in Taman Waja, Parit Raja, Batu Pahat, with the intention of carrying out the attacks together.

They were charged under Section 130JD of the Penal Code, read together with Section 34 of the Penal Code, which carries a maximum jail term of seven years and a fine upon conviction.

Meanwhile, Mohd Sanusi Satar, 31, was charged with intentionally refraining from disclosing information on the offence.

He allegedly committed the offence at No 5, Jalan Manis 1/3, Taman Manis, Parit Raja, Batu Pahat, between July 1 and Aug 8.

He was charged with committing the offence under Section 130M of the Penal Code which carries a jail term not exceeding seven years, or a fine, or both if convicted.

Meanwhile, Md Saifuddin also faced a charge of possessing on Aug 11, a black flag with Jawi inscriptions associated with the Daesh (Islamic State) militant group.

He was alleged to have committed the offence under Section 130JB(1)(a) of the Penal Code, and upon conviction, would be liable to imprisonment for up to seven years and a fine, as well as have the material seized.

No plea was recorded for all the three charges.

Magistrate Mohd Zulhilmi Ibrahim fixed Sept 28 for mention of the cases.

Earlier today, Md Saifuddin pleaded guilty to possessing an M67 grenade at No 108, Kampung Parit Gantung, Sri Merlung, Rengit, near here, on Aug 11.

He was accused under Section 8 of the Firearms (Increased Penalties) Act 1971, which carries a jail term not exceeding 14 years and at least six strokes of the cane upon conviction.

For this charge, Mohd Zulhilmi set Sept 8 for mention.

The cases were brought forward by DPP Muhammad Fadzlan Mohd Noor. The three accused were unrepresented.

Another Hindu Temple in Penanti attacked, this time 'more severely'

Another century-old Hindu temple in Penang has been broken into, and its deities destroyed, this time “more severely” than last week's attack on a nearby temple.

Deputy Chief Minister II P Ramasamy said the Sri Dharma Munisverar temple, which is located about one kilometre away from the Muthumariamman Temple in Penanti Estate, was vandalised around midnight.

“The previous incident in Penanti happened exactly one week ago, on Thursday. Today, we found that the deities were destroyed more severely than the previous ones,” Ramasamy told Malaysiakini.

He said the intruders entered the temple and appeared to have thrown a large stone at the three deities, smashing them into pieces.

The committee that oversees both temples was shocked by the incidents and unable to accept the desecration of their places of worship.

Ramasamy spoke to Penang chief police Abdul Ghafar Rejab, who reportedly said the matter would be thoroughly investigated.

“However, police are still uncertain whether the damage was caused by an insider or outsider. The police must be more alert from now on and must send their patrols to monitor the affected areas,” he said.

“With two related temples, looked after by the same committee being vandalised over a matter of one week, it looks as if the culprits are trying to send a strong message,” the Perai assemblyperson added.

“Is it the work of extremists or is this revenge?”

Only last week, several deities in the Muthumariamman Temple in Penanti Estate in Arakuda were destroyed by unknown attackers who are believed to have used a wooden pole to break the statues.

This followed a similar incident in Ipoh last month, with Ramasamy speculating that it may be due to the country's "heated political situation".

No scientific evidence of Hinduism-Buddhism in Bujang Valley?

Prominent Malaysian archaeologist Prof Mokhtar Saidin came out with two important findings during the two-day Old Kedah conference in Sungei Petani, recently.

One was that animism, rather than Hinduism or Buddhism, was the dominant form of worship in the Bujang Valley more than 2,500 years ago. Second, that Bujang Valley stands no chance of being gazetted by Unesco because there is no scientific research to date to verify that the temple ruins were Hindu or Buddhist.

I am not sure whether the two statements have any relationship with one another, or whether Mokhtar is trying to say that since there exists no solid proof of the existence of Hinduism or Buddhism, chances are that the religious worship could even be animism.

Anyway, in days or months to come, I hope Mokhtar can prove to the satisfaction of the international researchers that animism was indeed the dominant practice among the ancients.

He laments the fact that widespread existence of Hindu and Buddhist temples in the valley have yet not be proven. There is lack of scientific objectivity and rigour in establishing the truth about the Bujang Valley.

Mere presence of artifacts and architectural comparisons about Hindu-Buddhist temples do not reflect scientific integrity. Even the candi (either temple or burial ground) have been reconstructed from the stones and bricks in the vicinity.

Mokhtar said that no efforts have been made, both in the past and the present, to protect the temple sites in the valley. One candi was completely demolished by a developer in 2013, without any consideration for the heritage status of the land.

Mokhtar’s analysis of the heritage status of the Bujang Valley in the recent international conferences raised a number of questions that need to be addressed, both by archeologists, historians and those in the government.

Already acclaimed as Hinduism-Buddhism site

First, Bujang Valley has been internationally acclaimed as an ancient site of Hinduism-Buddhism, that is, before the advent of Islam. If there exists no evidence, whether scientific or not, then there is need to explain how this valley received such an acclaim.

Second, Mokhtar is well-known as an archaeologist and researcher, but for him to say that there is no scientific evidence to prove that the Hindu-Buddhist status of the Bujang Valley raises questions as to what our local researchers have been doing all the while.

Many excavations have been done in the past and many more are being planned, so, can I ask what is the purpose?

Third, colonial structures in Malacca and Penang have received the heritage status from Unesco. Is it really true that Unesco is withholding the conferment of heritage status on the Bujang Valley because there is no scientific evidence to authenticate the Hindu-Buddhist origins?

If other ancient sites around the world have received Unesco heritage status, what is preventing Bujang Valley from receiving such an award?

Fourth, apart from the lack of scientific rigour or evidence, who is responsible for initiating the area or place to be designated as heritage and what is the role of the state and federal governments?

Is the federal government dragging its feet on this matter simply because it is politically not conducive to do so?

Fifth, if local researchers do not have the technology or the skills, then maybe it is necessary to bring in foreign experts to determine whether there was such a thing as Hindu-Buddhist presence in the Bujang Valley.

Sixth, Saidin wants to prove that animism was widespread in the Sungei Batu area of the Bujang Valley more than 2,500 years, a site older than Borobodur and Angkor Wat.

As I have argued earlier, this might be so. It does not prove that Hinduism-Buddhism was non-existent but all these religions could have co-existed before the rise of monotheism.

Seventh, is there a relationship between the presence of animism and the lack of evidence on Hinduism-Buddhism?

P RAMASAMY is Deputy Chief Minister II of Penang and the state assemblyperson for Perai.

RAPAT kecewa IGP ambil remeh kes pecah kuil di Ipoh

Don’t speculate on temple vandalism incident, says IGP

Inspector-general of police Khalid Abu Bakar has advised all quarters not to speculate on the incident where a Hindu temple was vandalised in Ipoh.

By Malaysiakini

This is after certain groups cast doubts on the official version that the suspect, a medical doctor, was suffering from a psychological condition.

“Our investigations have shown that the suspect was mentally unstable. There are medical records relating to this.

“The police have no reason to conceal information regarding this matter. It was an isolated incident involving a person who is ill,” Khalid told Malaysiakini.

The police chief also ruled out that the suspect was linked to any terrorist organisations, explaining that he acted on his own.

On the same note, he warned that those who spread rumours regarding this incident would face action.

“This incident involves a place of worship, irresponsible statements can cause unrest and lead to undesirable consequences. We would not hesitate to act,” he said.

Earlier today, MIC urged the police to conduct a thorough investigation to enable appropriate action to be taken against the suspect.

“We hope that the fact he has been sent to Hospital Bahagia Tanjong Rambutan (which specialises in treating mental disorders) will not prevent the authorities from investigating the case thoroughly and in taking all appropriate actions that need to be taken.

“It has to be noted that despite his mental impairment, the subject in question targeted a Hindu temple specifically,” said party information chief VS Mogan in a statement.

Meanwhile, Penang Deputy Chief Minister II visited the affected temple and met with the people in the area this afternoon.

“They are questioning why the police has quickly drawn a conclusion that the person who did the act was mentally unstable. People are asking if he is a member of an extremist group.

“We understand that police are concerned that the matter do not go out of hand but the public need to know the truth. The police cannot control things if the public are not informed of the truth,” he said in a statement.

Also casting aspersions on the police’s version was the Malaysian Indian Progressive Association (Mipas), which questioned how an individual with a mental condition was allowed to roam free when he is a threat to others.

The suspect had reportedly run amok on Sunday and broke into the temple along Jalan Hospital, where he destroyed several statutes.

The individual later crashed his car into a bus stop not far from the temple while trying to escape and was subsequently arrested.

Read more: https://www.malaysiakini.com/news/339307

Mettu Kottai Padai Kaliamman temple, Bkt Lagong Selayang was demolished by Majlis Perbandaran Selayang

Dear concerned indians - Mettu Kottai Padai Kaliamman temple, Bkt Lagong Selayang was demolished by MPS officers on Tamil New Year eve claiming that the land is part of a Muslim Burial ground reserve land. The temple is located right under a high tension cable. Earlier Developer Loh & Loh had relocated the temple to the current site. A few damaged deity idols are currently placed at a nearby cabin now. We need to uphold our religious rights. The temple committee together with Hindraf Makkal Periyakkam are inviting Malaysia Hindu Sangam to the temple site to show support & seek a possible solution.

Date: 23.4.2016 (Sat)
Time: 3pm
Place: Demolished temple site at Bkt Lagong, Selayang (near IPD Gombak).

For more details contact temple committees; 0172553717, 0163895640, 0122065424. Please forward.

Hindraf wants to see MB on demolition of 100 temples

The NGO maintains all these temples in Selangor were legally built.

FMT

KUALA LUMPUR: Hindraf Makkal Sakthi is seeking an urgent meeting with Selangor Menteri Besar Azmin Ali on a reported 100 Hindu temples in the state which have purportedly been earmarked for demolition.

The meeting follows a public admission by Selangor Exco V Ganapathi Rao that some 100 Hindu temples, older than the recently demolished 60-year-old Sri Kottai Munisvarar Nageswary Temple, would be demolished by the state government.

He did not state the reasons for the pending demolitions.

Rao was lamenting that there was nothing much that he could do to save the Sri Kottai Munisvarar Nageswary Temple.

“Rao’s statement reminds us of the era of MIC and BN where they kept giving lame excuses for their inefficiency in tackling matters of public interest and concern,” said Hindraf vice-president Tamil Selvam. “He’s the lone Indian representative in the Exco and clearly outnumbered by the others.”

His helplessness, pointed out Tamil Selvam, stems from the fact he has not been given the mandate to handle the issue. “We understand his predicament.”

Hindraf, he stressed, had always maintained that these temples were never illegally built.”

The temples, he added, originated from plantations which were subsequently acquired by the government or sold to private developers. “They fail to appreciate the sensitivity of the issue.”

“Just because the plantations where the temples sit have been acquired by the government and developers, it does not mean that they can go on a demolition spree.”

Temple could save RM160k if exemption granted

The Johor government is considering waiving the land fees according to past practice on other land.

FMT

JOHOR BAHARU: The Johor state government is prepared to consider an application by the Arulmigu Thendayuthapani Kovil temple management here for an exemption from paying an additional land premium of RM160,000.

Johor Menteri Besar Mohamed Khaled Nordin said the additional premium imposed on the management was the result of building a multi-purpose hall at the temple site before getting approval from the State Land office.

“If I am not mistaken, the additional premium that should be paid is RM160,000 and this is on top of the regular land premium amounting to RM80,000 which should be paid by the management.

“So, I shall consider the exemption soon according to our past practices on other lands,” he said when opening the Thaipusam celebration here today.

Also present were Johor Baharu MP Shahrir Abdul Samad and MIC vice-president and Johor MIC Liaison chairman, S Balakrishnan.

According to Mohamed Khaled, the state government would give due consideration to the temple which played a role in creating a community which emphasised on religion as a guide to their lives.

“We know all religions encourage the spirit of goodwill, tolerance and mutual assistance. When devotees give high emphasis on this aspect, it would propel them and the country forward,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Thaipusam celebration attracted 100,000 Hindu devotees.

The Thaipusam procession from Arulmigu Rajamariamman temple in Jalan Ungku Puanto the city centre to the Arulmigu Thendayuthapani Kovil in Jalan Kuel started at 10pm last night and ended at around 4pm today.

- BERNAMA

PM must put Perkasa in its place over temple in Putrajaya

DAP says Najib Razak should live up to his 1Malaysia slogan and show that moderates will not tolerate extremists like Perkasa.

FMT

IPOH: The DAP has called on the federal government to make the construction of a Hindu temple in Putrajaya, a show of “moderates versus extremists” if Malay rights group Perkasa continued its opposition.

In saying this, DAP national vice-chairman M Kulasegaran urged Prime Minister Najib Razak to lead the moderates in fending off extremists in the battle.

Reminding Najib of his 1Malaysia slogan and his concept of moderation, Kulasegaran added, “Najib has in the past called on the silent majority to speak up against extremism.

“He must speak up now and put Perkasa in its place if the group does not back down from opposing the temple construction in Putrajaya.”

He said the best person to lead this battle was the PM himself, who should position it as a “battle between moderates and the extremists”.

The Hindu temple became something of a controversy when Perkasa Youth chief Irwan Fahmi Ideris questioned why a Hindu temple was being constructed in Putrajaya, a Malay-majority area.

He even suggested that its entrance face Banting, where a sizeable Hindu population resided.

In addressing Irwan’s dissatisfaction, Kulasegaran said Irwan had shown himself to be an extremist and a religious bigot.

“Perkasa’s frequent stirring up of racial and religious issues also shows without a doubt that it is an organisation not fit to exist in this multi racial and multi religious nation,” Kula added.

He also lauded Federal Territories Minister Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor’s rebuke of Perkasa’s objections and his admonishment that Perkasa stop playing up the construction of Sri Lalithambikai Alayam, disclosing that the project was approved some time ago.

“We have built many temples before, building another one in Putrajaya is not going to change the entire population into Hindus,” said Tengku Adnan last week.

Kulasegaran said Tengku Adnan’s whacking of Perkasa was timely and deserved public commendation and support.

DAP MP hails Ku Nan as role model for ministers

Federal Territories Minister Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor, who rarely earns praise from the opposition, has been hailed by a DAP MP as a role model for other cabinet ministers.

This comes after Tengku Adnan slammed right-wing group Perkasa for questioning the construction of the  Sri Lalithambikai Alayam Hindu temple in Putrajaya.

"Tengku Adnan’s whacking of Perkasa is most timely and welcomed and deserves commendation and support from Malaysians.

"It is hoped that more Muslim ministers can come out to rebuke Perkasa so as to send  a strong and clear message that religious bigotry has no place in this multiracial and multireligious nation," said DAP's Ipoh Barat MP M Kulasegaran.

Perkasa Youth chief Irwan Fahmi had questioned the need for a Hindu temple in Putrajaya as the overwhelming majority of population there are Muslims.

He had also asked for the temple to face away from Putrajaya, towards Banting, as more Hindus live there.

Tengku Adnan, who is also Putrajaya MP, yesterday said he didn't know why Perkasa was "making noise" and a Hindu temple wouldn't turn the entire Putrajaya population into Hindus.

Kulasegaran (left) said Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak who has often asked the silent majority to speak up against extremism, should also speak up himself on this matter.

"If Perkasa does not back down from opposing the temple construction, I propose to the federal government and the prime minister to make the temple construction an issue of the battle between the moderates and the extremists," he said.

Kulasegaran also slammed Perkasa's Fahmi for being a "religious bigot".

"His insensitive, irresponsible and ignorant remarks have enraged the Hindu community and strengthened Perkasa’s right wing and extremist image," said Kulasegaran.

Move temple entrance for easy drive: Perkasa

After temple criticism, Malay rights group says it's to avoid a detour through Putrajaya.

FMT

KUALA LUMPUR: The Malay rights group Perkasa, criticised for its remarks on a new Hindu temple in Putrajaya, has said it suggested the entrance be moved for the convenience of Hindu devotees.

It was so “they don’t have to take a detour through Putrajaya”, he said, quoted by the Malaysian Insider.

Irwan Fahmi, head of Perkasa Youth had suggested that the temple entrance face Banting (on the Selangor coast) instead of Putrajaya.

He said there were only 600-700 Hindus in Putrajaya but the temple was big enough for 10,000 people. “It’s already 85% complete, so I’m asking for something realistic, that an entrance from Banting be built,” he said, according to the Insider.

Irwan said Perkasa respected freedom of religion and the sensitivity of other faiths, but it would be more realistic for the temple’s entrance not to be in Putrajaya.

He then reminded Putrajaya MP Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor, who had told Perkasa to stop playing up the issue, that Tengku Adnan had won the parliamentary seat due to Malay support.

He questioned if Ku Nan would approve a Chinese temple in Putrajaya. “We do not oppose it, but the location is not suitable,” Irwan said.

Ku Nan slams Perkasa for temple instigation

 

Federal Territories Minister Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor today slammed Malay rights group Perkasa for "making noise" and "instigating" by questioning the construction of a Hindu temple in Putrajaya.

"I don't know why they are making noise. Building temples won't turn an entire Putrajaya into Hindus," he told reporters after launching a development project near Seri Kembangan today.

"The facilities we have at the complex can be used by Muslims as well. There's a hall, and there is a library.

"The way we are building this temple is different from other temples," he added.

He also said that around 600 to 700 Hindus live in Putrajaya, a district comprising many former estates with a large ethnic Indian population.

Perkasa Youth previously questioned Putrajaya’s approval for the temple, saying that the temple entrance should be facing Banting rather than Putrajaya.

The right-wing NGO had argued that Putrajaya is populated mostly by Malays.

However, MIC Youth Chief C Sivaraajh recently asked Perkasa to mind its own business and not interfere in the temple issue.

Tengku Adnan claimed that the temple can become a “tourist destination” in the future when it is built.

He also defended the ministry and the Kuala Lumpur City Hall’s (DBKL) decision to change the name of Jalan Travers in Bangsar to Jalan Rakyat.

“Of course!” he said abruptly when asked if proper consultation was done before the name change.

“Don’t always talk about negative news,” he sniped.

What is it with you now, Perkasa? Why target Hindu temple in Putrajaya?

By Sonia Ramachandran

PETALING JAYA: In Malaysia, catering for the needs of its multiracial and multi-religious society is something that is taken for granted.

We see that by the public holidays anointed for each religious festival and of course, the houses of worship that are constructed for citizens to perform their religious obligations.

But ultra-right wing Malay group Perkasa does not seem “too happy” with a Hindu temple being constructed in Precint 20 Putrajaya.

Perkasa Youth is reportedly curious as to why the Hindu temple has been constructed in a Malay-majority area with its chief Irwan Fahmi Ideris feeling the soon-to-be-completed Sri Lalithambikai Alayam temple has a “somewhat inappropriate location”.

Irwan also suggested that the temple’s entrance face Banting where there is a large Hindu population.

Former MIC strategic director Datuk Seri S Vell Paari told Theantdaily that logically, the temple being built there is just testament to the fact that the Barisan Nasional government in power understands the multi-religious nature of this country.

“In the political capital of Malaysia where the majority are Malays, and for the government to approve the building of the temple here just goes to show how much they value the multiracial aspect of this country.

“This temple will be an icon to show that Malaysia is made up of three major races and religions,” he said.

Vell Paari said there would always be one or two idiots among the sane whose statements you just need to shrug off, especially if they are insignificant in the larger scheme of things.

“Perkasa are not the policymakers. Look at them questioning the logic of building a temple there when there are not many Hindus in that vicinity. When they built Putrajaya, were there millions of people there then?

“The government knows that although there may only be about 1,500 Hindus living in Putrajaya currently, these numbers will grow. When they built the first Siva temple in Perth on 10 acres (4.04ha) of land, there were not many Hindus there either and it was about 20 km from the city but now the city has expanded to this area,” he said.

On Irwan’s suggestion to have the temple’s entrance face Banting, Vell Paari said: “I can tell them to point the direction of Perkasa’s door towards Hospital Permai in Tampoi where all the insane people are.

“When Perkasa talks like this, I don’t react. I’m not astonished, shocked or affected. Honestly, when you look at a group that is led by a man who looks like the twin brother of Jabba the Hutt from Star Wars, what do you expect?

“We Malaysians live together in harmony except for “worms” like them who are not human beings, let alone Malaysians. How can I comment on a statement by someone from the slug family? I can only comment on statements by human beings. After all, what do you expect to come out from the mouths of slugs except slime.”

According to Wikipedia, Jabba the Hutt is a character appearing in George Lucas's space opera film saga Star Wars and is depicted as a large, slug-like alien whose appearance has been described by film critic Roger Ebert as a cross between a toad and the Cheshire Cat.

In an interview with Malaysiakini, Irwan had reportedly said: “There are not many Hindus in Putrajaya and if the entrance faces Banting, this would make it easier for them to reach the temple.

“Although I am not sure of the exact figure, I know the majority of those living in Putrajaya are Malays.”

Irwan did, however, stress that it was the temple’s location they were questioning, not the freedom of religion.

“We will not hold demonstrations over the matter as we respect the other religions,” he said, adding that he would be meeting with the local authority, Perbadanan Putrajaya (Putrajaya Corporation), to obtain a more detailed explanation on the matter as well as Putrajaya Perkasa Youth.

There are approximately 1,500 Hindus living in Putrajaya mostly comprising civil servants.

In January 2013, former MIC president Datuk Seri S Samy Vellu, who also happens to be Vell Paari’s father, announced the construction of the temple – dubbed the “most unique temple in the country” – at a cost of RM12 million.

Just because the Hindus are a minority in Putrajaya, does Irwan expect them not to have a proper place of worship?

Does he expect them to travel long distances out of Putrajaya to pray?

What about the Hindus in Cyberjaya as well?

Another thing that is baffling is that the temple is “soon-to-be-completed”.

Wouldn’t Irwan have seen the construction going on from 2013? Didn’t he realise the location then?

And the construction of the temple had been publicised in the press.

Why is he questioning it when it is almost done? Does he expect it to be torn down or relocated?

Or is this just a ploy for publicity on a day when he just can’t seem to find any issue to make some inflammatory or incendiary remark and gain some cheap publicity?

After all, without such remarks, Irwan will just be another “Tom, Dick or Harry” on the road with absolutely no claim to fame.

- See more at: http://www.theantdaily.com/Main/What-is-it-with-you-now-Perkasa-Why-target-Hindu-temple-in-Putrajaya

Temple is none of your business, Perkasa Youth told

Perkasa Youth insists the entrance of a temple in “Malay-majority” Putrajaya face Banting instead where a large Hindu population lives.

FMT

KUALA LUMPUR: MIC Youth said today Perkasa Youth had no business to question the building of a Hindu temple in Putrajaya that has been approved by the government.

MIC Youth chief C Sivarraajh said it was none of Perkasa Youth’s business where the entrance of the Sri Lalithambikai Alayam temple was facing.

Perkasa Youth Irwan Fahmi Ideris had said it was curious why a Hindu temple had been constructed in a Malay-majority area and suggested its entrance should face Banting, where a large Hindu population lived.

“Putrajaya belongs to all Malaysians because it is the administrative capital of Malaysia and to say it is Malay-majority is nonsensical.

“Kota Baru is Malay-majority but one cannot use the same term for Putrajaya,” said Sivarraajh.

He said Fahmi’s mischievous statement was designed to ridicule Hindus and Hindu temples.

“It is immaterial where the entrance faces and it is not for the Perkasa leader to preach to Hindus,” he said.

Irwan had said that there were not many Hindus in Putrajaya and if the entrance faced Banting, it would make it easier for them to reach the temple.

“I have not read such (a) nonsensical statement about religion. Let me remind him that religion is a serious matter and should not be ridiculed in these terms,” said Sivaraajh.

The temple was announced by former MIC president S Samy Vellu in January 2013. The construction of the temple, dubbed the “most unique temple in the country” cost an estimated RM12 million.

It mixes both northern and southern Indian elements, and is expected to accommodate close to 10,000 devotees during festivities.

Perkasa wants Hindu temple to face Banting

Perkasa Youth is curious as to why a Hindu temple has been constructed at a Malay-majority area, and suggests that perhaps the entrance should face Banting where there is a large Hindu population.

Its chief Irwan Fahmi Ideris said the soon-to-be-completed Sri Lalithambikai Alayam temple in Precint 20, Putrajaya has a “somewhat inappropriate location”.

“There are not many Hindus in Putrajaya and if the entrance faces Banting, this would make it easier for them to reach the temple,” Irwan told Malaysiakini.

“Although I am not sure of the exact figure, I know the majority of those living in Putrajaya are Malays,” he said.

Irwan (right), nevertheless, stressed that they were not questioning the freedom of religion, rather, merely questioning the temple’s location.

“We will not hold demonstrations over the matter as we respect the other religions,” he said.

He added that he will be meeting with the local authority, Perbadanan Putrajaya (Putrajaya Corporation), to obtain a more detailed explanation on the matter.

However, it is noted that a date has not been set for the meeting.

“We will also meet the Putrajaya Perkasa Youth to get more information on the matter since it is their area,” he said.

Former MIC president S Samy Vellu had announced, in January 2013, the construction of the temple - dubbed the “most unique temple in the country” - at a cost of RM12 million.

The temple mixes both Northern and Southern Indian elements, and is expected to accommodate close to 10,000 people during festivities.

Putrajaya Sri Maha Mariamman Devasthanam Devotees' Association president R Kanagaraja had said that the 17,000 sq ft structure will be built on a one-acre plot, to be completed in mid-2015.

There are about 1,500 Hindus, most of them civil servants, living in Putrajaya.

 

Hindraf: More than 25 temples destroyed in Putrajaya!

NGO ticks off Perkasa Youth for making issue of one temple allowed to stand in the Federal Administrative Centre.
FMT

KUALA LUMPUR: Hindraf Makkal Sakthi, an apolitical human rights NGO working across the divide, has warned Perkasa Youth not to make an issue of one Hindu temple allowed in Putrajaya while remaining silent on the more than 25 others which were destroyed by the authorities when four large estates made way for the Federal Administrative Centre.

“The recent moronic statement by the Perkasa youth wing in questioning the building of the temple in Putrajaya is without any basis and without any historic knowledge of the land that is currently occupied by Putrajaya and Cyberjaya,” said Hindraf Chief P. Waythamoorthy in a statement.

He was delving into the history of Prang Besar, Sedgeley, Galloway and Medingley, four large estates totaling 8,000 acres which hosted more than 25 temples.

“When the Federal Government acquired the estates, thousands of plantation workers were displaced and shortchanged,” he said. “They allocated only one piece of land for the temple which is currently being built and destroyed the others.”

Besides losing their temples, their way of life, and their livelihood, the plantation workers were shortchanged, he added. “We can see the predicament of these folks in Kg Permata in Dengkil, Kajang.”

Some 400 families from the four estates were sold unfit low cost apartments that came to national attention in 2012, he recalled. “They were forced to camp in their compound as the government-built apartments were so shoddy that they had to be declared unfit for occupation.”

The fact that Putrajaya residents are mostly non-Hindus is besides the point, added Waytha. “The Federal Constitution is secular and enshrines freedom of worship.”

He charged that the existence of Perkasa and similar groups in the fringe only showed the “incompetence” of the authorities and their inability to prevent the polarisation that has taken root in the peninsula from worsening.

Waytha was made a Senator and Deputy Minister in Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak’s administration after the May 2013 General Election. He quit eight months later in protest against the Prime Minister’s apparent inability and unwillingness to control the “little Napoleons” who placed numerous obstacles in his way and made his position untenable.

'Insane man' also destroyed Hindu deities

The man who destroyed deities at Wat Chataram in Bukit Mertajam, Penang last Friday had also attacked Hindu deities the next day, police said.

Police nabbed the man after a police report was lodged on the destruction of the Hindu deities on Saturday and sent him to the Perak Road Psychiatric ward on the island.

The man was seen hitting four deities with a machete at the Kaliaman River Side temple at Kampung Pokok Machang, Tasek Gelugor at 8.30 am that day.

He fled on his motorcycle when a local tried to stop him.

A Saundarajan, 53, lodged a police report over the incident at about 10.30am.

Another native of the village, R Thangaletchumy, 47, said the man went on a rampage and attacked a home which had two elephant idols at the porch after attacking the temple.

Visiting the Hindu temple today, Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng  expressed hope the incident would not recur as the culprit is now in custody.

"This is definitely not the culture of Malaysians and I thank everyone who condemned such acts," he said.

The temple, which is under construction, is a replacement for a 50-year-old shrine but building works were slow due to lack of funds.

Lim said the state government was prepared to provide some financial aid to help in restoring the deities.

Deputy Chief Minister II P Ramasamy said such incidents should not happen against any place of worship.

He urged the temple committee to write to the state government for financial aid to restore the deities.

"Religion is a sensitive issue and nobody has the right to destroy a church, mosque or temple no matter what their political ideology," he said.

Last year in January, molotov cocktail was thrown in the Church of the Assumption on Lebuh Farquhar.

In February, a slab of pork meat was hurled into the compound of the Cherok Tok Kun Atas Mosque.

No arrests have been made for the two incidents last year.

'Insane man' destroys three Buddhist deities

Opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim has condemned the act of an insane man who destroyed three Buddhist deities in a temple in Tanah Liat, Bukit Mertajam, today.

"I visited three mosques on the occasion of Prophet Muhammad's birthday today and all the religious heads have disagreed with the act.

"I then told them I am heading to the Siamese temple and none of them protested," he told reporters at a press conference in the main hall of Wat Chatararam where the incident happened yesterday morning.

Anwar (right) felt grateful that the communities in Tanah Liat did not react to the incident as though it was a religious attack.

"I am thankful the public understands that this kind of behaviour is not Islamic," he added.

"I hope the police will monitor and step up security at the other temples around the area," he urged.

Anwar said the matter was reported in the Thai media and that he was alerted to it by a former Thai official who had visited the temple in his trips to Penang.

Also present were Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng, accompanied by several DAP and PKR assemblypersons, and Seberang Perai Tengah OCPD Rusli Mohd Noor.

Temple committee chairperson Koh Kok Weng and Reverend Chan Ah Pin joined the group at the press conference.

Both Anwar and Lim praised the police for their swift response to the incident, which happened around 10am.

In a CCTV recording of the incident, a man wearing a kopiah was seen entering the temple on a motorcycle.

He then kicked down three deities, which shattered upon impact on the ground, yet he seemed very calm and remained in the area until three temple staff appeared and tried to stop him.

He then fled on his motorcycle, almost running into one of them, after circling the place and punching the air with his right fist.

‘No Muslim would approve of such behaviour’

Lim urged the public to remain calm, and to not link the issue to a religious threat.

Today is the Prophet's birthday, he reminded, saying no Muslim would approve of such behaviour.

Lim said the state government viewed the incident seriously, although it appears that the culprit may be "a mad man".

His behaviour in destroying the three deities and attempting to run down one of the temple staff who had witnessed the incident, was described as "dangerous".

"He is dangerous and may be planning on doing the same to other temples," Lim cautioned.

"We hope the police will nab the culprit soon. If he is from this village, it may not be difficult to identify him," he added.

"Such acts (attacking deities), although by an insane man in this incident, is a threat to all communities.

"If he is a fanatic, it is a cause of concern for all," Lim stressed, and then pledged financial aid to the temple to restore the deities.

Koh said that a police report has been lodged at 4pm yesterday in Bukit Mertajam.

"This temple has been around for 100 years, but nothing like this has happened before.

“When I found out what happened I rushed to the temple, and many who heard about it felt shocked and worried. This temple is next to a mosque and the place has always been peaceful," he told Malaysiakini.

Koh said the temple is well-known in Thailand, and that many prominent individuals - including Buddhist religious heads - have visited the Wat before.

When asked how much would it cost to restore the broken deities, Koh noted that the damages have yet to be ascertained.

"They are about 50 years old and are priceless," he quipped.