Selangor PKR no. 2 withdraws threat

Malaysiakini report:


Selangor PKR leader S Manikavasagam will not relinquish his post as the party’s state liaison deputy chief, said his political secretary M Shanmugam today.

The Kapar MP, who could not be contacted, had earlier threatened to quit if no stern action was taken against the person responsible for the demolition of a Hindu temple in Ampang.




Attempts to reach Manikavasagam by phone has been unsuccessful as he had switched off his mobile phone.

Yesterday, the state government slapped Ampang Jaya Municipal Council (MPAJ) deputy president Hamid Hussain with a one-week suspension over the issue.

“Manikavasagam will retain his post as PKR deputy liaison chief for Selangor following the suspension of the person behind the demolition,” said Shanmugam.

The Star today quoted state local government, research and study committee chairperson Ronnie Liu as saying that Hamid would be suspended pending investigations into the demolition.

Hamid was purportedly the official that had instructed the demolition of the19-year-old temple near Kampung Tasek Tambahan two weeks ago.

The report further said the state’s three-member committee on non-Muslim religious affairs comprising Teresa Kok, Dr Xavier Jayakumar and Liu has begun its investigations.

The findings are expected to be out by Monday.

State govt in the dark

Meanwhile, Shanmugam said he had met with Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad, the political secretary to Selangor Menteri Besar Khalid Ibrahim and the latter had promised stern action against those responsible for the temple demolition.

“He told me that the state government was not involved with the temple demolition and that they will do a follow up after the one week suspension ends,” he added.

He also said that he is convinced that the state government was in the dark over the matter and that the suspension shows that the government was sensitive towards the concerns of the people.

According to Liu, Hamid as the deputy, had reportedly decided on the matter as the council president was on leave when the temple was demolished.

He also said the state government would find a solution to the problem of the Sri Mahakaliaman temple soon and viewed the demolition of places of worship very seriously.

Hamid could not be contacted for comments.