ALOR STAR – After yet another public rebuke, Kedah Menteri Besar Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor reiterated that the demolition of two Hindu shrines was done in accordance to the law.
In his Facebook post yesterday, he said: “If there are structures built without following the law, it’s best that the owners themselves remove, disassemble, or demolish the structures without the involvement of enforcement officers.”
He added that if a building owner has gotten approval from authorities, the law guarantees the legitimacy of the building.
He also advised all parties to obey the law, which protects the people.
Sanusi was responding to a network of Hindu groups, which had called on him to publicly apologise for the state’s demolition of Hindu temples, as well as his condescending remarks against the community.
The Coalition of Hindu NGOs and Temples of Malaysia had condemned Sanusi, who is also Kedah PAS deputy commissioner, for causing “racial and religious tension” among Hindus by making uncalled-for comments.
“His actions have also shown that the minority Indians, especially Hindus, are oppressed and their rights are violated in Kedah,” said the coalition’s spokesman V. Kandasamy was quoted as saying.
Sanusi came under criticism after local authorities demolished the Sri Raja Muniswarar temple in Kuala Kedah, as it was built on state land.
In July, the Madura Veeran temple, which is said to be 100 years old, located near the Alor Star train station, was also demolished.
Sanusi had said that the demolitions had been carried out by the local government.
After checking with the council, he said that it was about enforcing the law. – The Vibes, December 22, 2020
