Council slammed over temple demolition
THE Tamil dailies were of one voice in deriding the demolition of the Sri Maha Mariamman Temple in Padang Jawa on Tuesday (30 Oct 2007) by the Shah Alam City Council.
Giving several pages to the issue, the papers—Tamil Nessan, Malaysia Nanban and Makkal Osai—also carried views by the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) and various non-governmental organisations over the alleged high-handed action of the council.
Four people were reportedly hurt and dozens detained following scuffles between temple devotees and the city authorities over the 100-year-old temple.
Tamil Nesan reported Hindus were hurt that the authorities had hastily demolished the temple when the Deepavali celebration was only days away.
The daily said Selangor Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Khir Toyo should have asked them to defer the demolition to after the festive season.
