Islam does not oppress any party, says Anwar on temple relocation

ISLAM, as the Federation’s official religion, is not intended to be a tool for oppressing any group, according to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

He said both the majority and minority communities in the country must adhere to the law, highlighting the need for fairness and the upholding of justice for all.

Anwar made these remarks in the context of the ongoing discussion surrounding the relocation of the Dewi Sri Pathrakaliamman Temple in Jalan Masjid India.

He explained that while Islam is the country’s official religion and Muslims form the majority, this should not be used to exert pressure on anyone.

"Islam is the religion of the Federation, and Muslims are the majority in the country, but we do not use this to oppress anyone," Anwar said.

He added, "The majority (Muslims) and Islam, as the religion of the Federation, must follow the law. The minority must also adhere to the law. We cannot be unjust to the majority, and we must not tolerate any injustice towards the minority."

Anwar stressed that the values of MADANI—which represent moderation, peace, and harmony—must be upheld in such matters.

He also explained his decision to publicly address the issue of the temple’s relocation to ensure clarity for all parties involved.

"I chose to explain this issue to send a clear message that the Federal Religious Council (Majlis Agama Wilayah), the construction company, and DBKL (Kuala Lumpur City Hall) are all urged to be moderate, polite, and to engage in a proper dialogue to find a solution," he said.

He further added that the temple’s management committee should engage in discussions, as the government is a partner, not an adversary in this matter.

"Do not portray us as oppressors, and do not listen to those who stir up trouble... some Malaysians have asked, ‘What’s wrong with building a mosque next to the temple?’ Our consistent directive is clear: do not cause disruption or complicate matters for anyone," Anwar emphasised.

The Prime Minister was speaking at the 218th Police Day celebration held at the Police Training Centre (PULAPOL) in Kuala Lumpur on the morning of the event.

His comments were in response to a dispute over land near Jalan Masjid India, where the Dewi Sri Pathrakaliamman Temple, established in 1893, currently stands.

The temple was built several decades before DBKL (Kuala Lumpur City Hall) and its predecessor agencies were founded.

After Malaysia’s independence, DBKL became the landowner until it was sold to the Jakel Group, a textile company, in 2014.

Recently, Jakel announced plans to construct a mosque on the site, named Masjid MADANI, with Anwar scheduled to officiate the ground-breaking ceremony this Thursday. – March 25, 2025