MIC president S Samy Vellu has denounced the Pakatan Rakyat-led Selangor government for allowing the demolition of a Hindu temple in Shah Alam today, describing it as "an act of treachery."

samy vellu exclusive on tamil schools 080708 06 "The Selangor (state) government has committed treachery to the Hindu community by not stopping the demolition of the temple," he said.

The veteran politician was commenting on the demolition of the Mathurai Veeran Temple in Persiaran Kerjaya, Jalan Glenmarie, Seksyen U1, Shah Alam.

Samy Vellu said this was not the first incident as there was another demolition involving another Hindu temple in Selangor during Pakatan’s rule in the state.

He was referring to the demolition of the Sri Maha Kaliamman temple in Kampung Tasik, Jalan Baru in Ampang, Selangor on Sept 9 last year.

No discussions with temple committee

The MIC president claimed that despite an appeal by the Mathurai Veeran temple committee in March this year to the notice sent by the Shah Alam Municipal Council (MPSA) in February, the temple was still demolished without an alternative land.

"There were also no discussions with the temple committee and no recent notices given by the MPSA. They just went and demolished it.

"I salute the MPSA for taking direct orders from the Selangor government without consulting the temple committee,” he added sarcastically.

xavier selangor interview 080408 Samy Vellu wanted the Selangor government, especially its state executive councilor Dr Xavier Jayakumar to explain the demolition, failing which MIC would seek legal redress.

"He (Xavier) does not seem to worry about what is happening. Perhaps this (the demolition) is being carried out because the Indians are not united under the Pakatan state government," he said.

Samy Vellu also alleged that the Selangor government appeared to have "a taste" in demolishing Hindu temples without first discussing with the temple committees and allocating alternative sites.

He said that if any temple were to make way for development or sitting on government or private lands, the authorities should first identify a suitable alternative land for them.