Khalid says Umno free to file injunction on temple
SHAH ALAM: The proposed relocation of the Sri Mariamman temple from Section 19 to Section 23 here will go ahead as planned, despite Umno’s attempts at filing an injunction, says Selangor Mentri Besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim.
“We (the state government) are not stopping Umno from doing anything. Our efforts in solving the temple relocation issue is still an on-going process,” stated Khalid.
He explained the residents of Section 19 and the temple committee have agreed for the temple to be moved as its current location was too close to the housing areas.
This was in response to Selangor Umno deputy chief Datuk Noh Omar’s statement that the Selangor state government’s current decision could cause racial tension and is going against the fundamental principles of the Federal Constitution.
According to Noh, filing for an injunction was necessary in order to protect the interest and sensitivities of the Muslim majority in Section 23, as building a Hindu temple would cause “disharmony.”
However, the Selangor MB was quick to note today that this did not mean that the concerns of the residents of Section 23 would not be addressed.
“If people do not understand the situation, we will have a town hall meeting for residents of Section 23, Section 19, the temple committee, as well as any interested parties. Everyone will be invited for an open dialogue session where we can clearly explain our efforts without being misconstrued,” said Khalid.
He pointed out that this issue was something that had originally cropped up during Umno’s control of the state government and Pakatan Rakyat was “cleaning up Umno’s problems.”
MI
19/08/09
SHAH ALAM: The proposed relocation of the Sri Mariamman temple from Section 19 to Section 23 here will go ahead as planned, despite Umno’s attempts at filing an injunction, says Selangor Mentri Besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim.
“We (the state government) are not stopping Umno from doing anything. Our efforts in solving the temple relocation issue is still an on-going process,” stated Khalid.
He explained the residents of Section 19 and the temple committee have agreed for the temple to be moved as its current location was too close to the housing areas.
This was in response to Selangor Umno deputy chief Datuk Noh Omar’s statement that the Selangor state government’s current decision could cause racial tension and is going against the fundamental principles of the Federal Constitution.
According to Noh, filing for an injunction was necessary in order to protect the interest and sensitivities of the Muslim majority in Section 23, as building a Hindu temple would cause “disharmony.”
However, the Selangor MB was quick to note today that this did not mean that the concerns of the residents of Section 23 would not be addressed.
“If people do not understand the situation, we will have a town hall meeting for residents of Section 23, Section 19, the temple committee, as well as any interested parties. Everyone will be invited for an open dialogue session where we can clearly explain our efforts without being misconstrued,” said Khalid.
He pointed out that this issue was something that had originally cropped up during Umno’s control of the state government and Pakatan Rakyat was “cleaning up Umno’s problems.”
MI
19/08/09
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