DEMOLITION OF SRI MAHA MARIAMMAN TEMPLE AND

MCCBCHST (Malaysian Consultative Council of Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Sikhism and Taoism) grieves together with the residents of Kampung Rimba Jaya who tragically lost up to 200 of their homes and their 100-year old Sri Maha Mariamman Temple in Rimba Jaya / Kampung Karuppiah, Shah Alam, just days before they could celebrate Deepavali, the Festival of Lights.

The fact that this huge loss is not caused by earthquake, tsunami or any other natural catastrophe but by governmental agencies has compounded the people's misery and shock many times over.

MCCBCHST assures the Hindu community and the Malaysian Hindu Sangam that we hear your cries for justice and the answers from the local, state and national authorities. We express our solidarity with the Hindu community at this tragedy.

MCCBCHST regrets that after so many years of respectful meetings with successive MB's and PM's and countless number of memoranda respectfully written and submitted to them, the authorities have seemingly turned a deaf ear to us and our respective religious communities are still subjected to such insensitive and intolerant treatment.

We reiterate that the places of worship of any religious community – Buddhist, Christian, Hindu, Muslim, Sikh, Taoist or others – are sacred places. A proper protocol must be strictly followed in any action being taken in relation to them. The manner in which the authorities have acted in this and other similar cases sends a signal to others to do likewise.

The reported physical assault by the enforcement officers on Chief Priest Siva Sri Ramalingga Gurukal if true is deplorable and unconscionable. From reports, it appears he was not armed and did not pose a danger nor a threat to the wellbeing of others. How can such an action be justified? Only days before, MCCBCHST issued a statement on Violence against Buddhist Monks in Myanmar. Have we come to this in Malaysia?

MCCBCHST calls on YAB Prime Minister and his officers to take careful stock of the incidents at Kampung Rimba Jaya. The nation awaits a comprehensive report on this incident. A 100-year old Temple has been demolished and 200 homes have been levelled just days before a major religious festival. To add salt to the wound, the Chief Priest has reportedly been physically assaulted. Is this the path the country should be taking?

FOR MCCBCHST,


Bishop Dr Paul Tan Chee Ing, SJ
Deputy President

Myanmar in Malaysia? This is only one of the published cases...There are many more cases which remained unpublished, either covered up or publishers being denied on publishing or else lose publishing rights. Is this a multi nation country? or does it just belongs to some particular race...think and u will know..if this is to continue, 13th May incident will repeat itself and leave another black mark in the nation's history..