Home Minister tells cops to charge cow head protesters

(The Star) PETALING JAYA: Those responsible for bringing a cow’s head to a protest at the Selangor state secretariat building should be charged in court, said Home Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein.

He has ordered the police to proceed with further investigation and take stern action against those responsible.

“Police have identified the individuals involved,” he said in a statement.

Residents of Section 23 in Shah Alam had staged a protest last Friday against the Pakatan Rakyat-led Selangor government’s decision to relocate a 150-year-old temple from Section 19 to their Malay-majority area.

The protest sparked controversy when some of the participants brought along the cow’s head.

Although the residents were angry with the state government and had no intention of hurting the feelings of any other race, Hishammuddin said such actions could not be tolerated because the cow was considered sacred in certain religions.

“The Home Ministry views seriously all issues that could undermine harmony, unity, as well as national security and stability of this multiracial country,” he said.

In an interview with The Star, Hishammuddin said he never justified the unruly action by the protesters.

Adding that he was prepared to mediate between the disputing parties, Hishammuddin said he had called for consultation, not confrontation, as a solution.

In replying to scathing criticisms by some bloggers, he said certain bloggers had made it seem as if he condoned the act of presenting the cow’s head.

“The residents met me in my office and told me that they were not involved in bringing the cow’s head there, and that certain quarters had exploited the situation. While I listened to their explanation, I told them that whoever did it would have to face action.

“But the bloggers made it seem that I fully supported the residents,’’ he said.

Hishammuddin said that the residents seemed to have some grounds for their displeasure due to the inappropriate alienation of the plot for the temple’s relocation.

“I said the Hindu community wanted a temple and they were not particular about its exact location. It could be built in another section.

“I felt there could be a win-win situation for both sides,” he stressed.

The Malaysian Bar Council, in a statement, expressed disappointment at Federal Government leaders who made irresponsible statements including blaming the Selangor government over the issue.

“The fact that this is a Muslim-majority area is immaterial and should not, in and of itself, be permitted to serve as adequate basis for rejecting the establishment of a place of worship of any faith,” said Bar Council president Ragunath Kesavan.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak had said police and Attorney-General’s Chambers would decide whether the protesters had violated any laws under the Sedition Act.

The Malaysia Hindu Sangam said it will cooperate with the Federal and Selangor state government to resolve the temple issue.

Its president R.S. Mohan Shan said the issue had been unresolved for 25 years.

“We are confident that the Sultan of Selangor will see that justice is done to all his subjects. As this is a state matter, the Selangor Mentri Besar should meet Hindu Sangam and temple leaders immediately,” he said in a statement.