State calls for calm over cow-head protests
By Neville Spykerman, The Malaysian Insider
SHAH ALAM, Aug 28 – Dr Xavier Jayakumar tonight joined the chorus of state leaders calling for calm, following the desecration of a cow’s head outside the state secretariat.
“I call on everyone to remain calm and not to react or be provoked by the incident.”
The state executive councillor said he would personally meet the Selangor police chief to convey the sentiments of the Indian community.
“We should let the police handle the matter.”
The act, which is offensive to Hindus who regard the animal as sacred, was carried out by a group of 50 Malay-Muslim protesters who oppose the relocation of a Hindu temple to Section 23.
Xavier said the actions of the protesters were unacceptable and the police should act against the organizers.
The protest have cast a dark clowd over the country which is supposed to celebrate Merdeka in a few days.
Xavier said 52-years of racial harmony had been jeopardised by the actions of the group.
Today incident is believed to have been provoked by hardliners opposed to the Pakatan Rakyat (PR) state government.
The site of the current Sri Mahamariamman Temple is located at Section 19.
The 150-year-old temple was built on a plantation which over the years was developed into housing estates by the Selangor Development Corporation (PKNS).
