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Chew Mei Fun: Pakatan Rakyat’s promise to protect religious freedoms merely a ploy

Wanita MCA Selangor chief Datin Paduka Chew Mei Fun today condemned the Pakatan Rakyat-led Selangor state government’s action in demolishing the Sri Mahakaliaman Hindu temple which had contradicted their earlier promise to the Indian community. “It appears that Pakatan Rakyat’s promise of religious freedoms and protection of houses of worship before the March 8 General Elections was merely a ploy to fish for votes. Such a stunt belittles the voters’ trust and support in them.”

“The Indian voters supported the Pakatan Rakyat during the General Elections because they did not expect such treatment to befall them. It is unfortunate that the Selangor state government’s behavior of demolishing temples continues to happen.”

Mei Fun said on 10 September 2008, the Ampang Jaya Municipal Council without prior notice had demolished the 50-year-old Sri Mahakaliaman temple was disrespectful. “Such an act of disrespect against Hindu believers has hurt the feelings of local Hindu residents.”

“The Ampang Jaya Municipal Council enforcement officers demolished the temple without attempting to relocate the temple to another suitable place. They also heavy-handedly demolished the temple which is a sacred place of worship for Hindu believers. They did not take into consideration of the feelings of Hindu believers.”

According to a report, Ampang Jaya has ten Hindu temples which face the same fate of being demolished. Mei Fun hopes YB Ronnie Liu who is responsible for local council matters will look seriously into the matter whereby action will be taken against local council enforcement officers who forcibly demolished temples.

“Residents in Selangor especially the Indian community would want the Selangor government to quickly respond to the Hindu temple demolition, explain to the public and take necessary action against those responsible for this act to resolve the unhappiness among the affected Hindu believers.”

Mei Fun also urged Pakatan Rakyat-led Selangor government to be sincere when dealing with multi-religious issues. She added, “they should practise what they preach and not to clown around with people’s trust and support placed in them.”

Press Statement issued by MCA Youth Secretary-General YB Dr Wee Ka Siong in response to the Hindu temple demolition in Ampang

MCA Youth Secretary-General YB Dr Wee Ka Siong expressed his disappointment over the Selangor government’s action to allow the demolition of the Sri Mahakaliaman Hindu temple to occur. Ka Siong also questioned the Pakatan Rakyat’s promise to uphold religious freedom and a multi-racial society as stated in their manifesto before the March 8 General Elections.

Ka Siong urged Selangor government especially the state’s three-men committee
overseeing the matters concerning non-Muslims comprising Selangor EXCO members YB Ronnie Liu, YB Teresa Kok and YB Xavier Jayakumar to give a satisfactory reply with regards to the questions below:

Firstly, according to Ronnie Liu’s statement, Ampang Jaya Municipal Councillor enforcement officers had not obtained prior approval from the afore-mentioned committee when they demolished the temple. Does this mean that the committee is a puppet committee without vested authority or, is DAP in the Selangor government, although likened as possessing power holds no authority?

Secondly, on 12 September 2008, Ronnie Liu said that he will take stern action against the officer responsible in demolishing the temple. On 26 September 2008, he once again reiterated that he will punish the officer responsible in the demolition act. However, since the day the temple was demolished until todate, almost one month has passed already. But the officers concerned have not been punished. Ronnie Liu should verify his statement of taking stern action against the officers responsible and we should ask him when he is really going to punish those responsible.

Thirdly, PKR Kapar MP S. Manicka¬vasagam said if the Pakatan-led Selangor government fails to take action against the council officers involved in the Hindu temple demolition exercise in Ampang, he will quit his post as Selangor Parti Keadilan Rakyat liaison committee deputy chairman. Such a firm decision will definitely go down well with the public. Thus, we would like to ask whether Ronnie Liu, Teresa Kok and Xavier Jayakumar will follow suit in quitting their posts as Selangor EXCOs to uphold the principle of religious freedom.

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