From dognapping to Hindu shrine desecration: When will local authorities in S’gor stop trespassing private property to carry out insensitive acts?
30 November 2012
Press statement by YB Wong Koon Mun, MCA Selangor State Liaison Committee Secretary and state Assemblyman for Kuala Kubu Baru
From dognapping to Hindu shrine desecration: When will local authorities in S'gor stop trespassing private property to carry out insensitive acts?
While it is bad enough that in Selangor, more than 50 police reports have been lodged against local councils for infringing the rights of house owners when their dog catchers illegally trespassed private property to "dognap" pet canines, this situation of enforcement officers illegally intruding into private premises – this time to destroy a Hindu shrine is alarming, devastating and warrants immediate resolve.
Smashed: A MPSP officer demolishing the altar at Gopi's house in Sepang.
The Star (30 Nov 2012) reports of council workers from the Sepang Municipal Council (MPSP) had entered the compound of a Hindu couple to demolish a Hindu altar that was erected within the couple's private property despite an appeal lodged.
In a case of arrogance and mighty powers-that-be trying to impoverish the Hindu community, MPSP also notified the couple that they would have to pay a daily of RM250 if they did not want to tear the shrine down. However, without further notice, MPSP workers still proceeded to destroy the shrine.
Bureaucracy, apathy from state exco
Even more shocking is the bureaucratic excuse from the exco Dr Xavier Jayakumar who is reported to have said that the local authorities had the right to take action against any illegal structure build inside or outside the house. He added that the altar could not be construed as a religious place as there had been no prayers or ceremonies held there. This apathetic reply fails to address the key issue of illegal trespass to desecrate a religious structure.
How long have MPSP workers been observing the said house to conclude that no prayers or ceremonies have been carried out? If indeed a surveillance was carried out and it is not based on suspicion of criminal elements, this form of snooping violates the sanctity of people's personal beliefs and right to privacy within one's very own home.
Can't tell the difference between house renovations & religious shrines
It is very obvious that Dr Jayakumar is unable to differentiate between an illegal structure constructed as part of house renovations, refurbishment and a religious shrine. Being Malaysian citizens and living in a country where different faiths are professed, surely, the wakil rakyat and the shrine-demolition-team would be able to recognize how a shrine or altar with its respective religious motif looks like in any housing estate or are they living in cocoons to have likened the Hindu shrine as an illegal house structure? It is common for Hindu, Buddhists and Taoists to erect a shrine or altar within the compound of their homes.
Religion is such a sensitive issue in Malaysia, where any form of misunderstanding, especially if perpetuated by the authorities should be avoided and resolved at all cost. MPSP should have consulted with the couple and Hindu groups on resolving this matter which must be treated with utmost delicateness.
YB Wong Koon Mun
MCA Selangor Secretary
State Assemblyman for Kuala Kubu Baru
-MCA online-
Read More @ SourceMore » Bonology.com | Pakatan Rakyat (PR) | Sociopolitics Plus | 大马社会政治
Comments