Temple Relocation Protest Surpasses Political Consideration – Hishammuddin

KLUANG, Sept 6 (Bernama) — The 'cow's head' protest against a temple relocation proposal in Shah Alam has surpassed political consideration as it involved members the opposition as well as Barisan Nasional (BN), said Home Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein.

He said the Home Ministry knew the numbers of Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR), PAS and BN members involved in the protest and would divulge the information when the time was right.

"The protest has surpassed political consideration. It is a localised issue," he told reporters after presenting aid to Kampung Melayu Niyor residents here Sunday.

He was commenting on the chaotic dialogue session between Shah Alam's Section 23 residents and Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Khalid Ibrahim over the proposed relocation of a temple from Section 19 to the Muslim majority area in Section 23.

Hishammuddin said the previous Selangor government had proposed another site for the temple to be relocated but it was rejected as it was said to be very far.

"The Selangor government should not blame BN as we had tried to solve the problem. They should blame themselves for not seeking the views of Section residents on the relocation proposal.

"We also have information that they (the state government) had held several dialogues with residents before making the proposal to relocate the temple to Section 23," he added.

On the cow's head protest, he said it was not appropriate and the police would take action on those involved as cow was a sacred animal in Hindu.

He said the investigation paper had been submitted to the Attorney General's Chambers.