Penang Chief Minister Dr Koh Tsu Koon is being pressured to set up an independent commission of inquiry to investigate the demolition of the Tou Mu Kung temple last Friday in Bukit Mertajam.

Seberang Perai Municipal Council (MPSP) tore down the 20-year-old temple amidst a fracas that saw police fire warning shots. Three persons were injured and six arrested.

Parliamentary Opposition Leader Lim Kit Siang (DAP-Ipoh Timur) said an inquiry is necessary because the incident involves local government democracy and accountability.

"Koh ( photo ) should exercise his power as head of the Penang government and set up an independent commission to find out the lessons to be drawn from (this)," he said in a statement.

He said state executive councillor Dr Toh Kim Woon has met with MPSP president Md Aris Ariffin and secured an agreement that no further action will be taken until the state exco meets on Wednesday.

"If this is true, then the demolition of the temple is not only high-handed but a gross breach of an undertaking by the MPSP president," Lim said.

"The state exco must demonstrate that it will not tolerate 'Little Napoleons' and (act firmly by suspending) the MPSP president for openly flouting th authority of the state exco and chief minister."

Wee Ka Siong (BN-Ayer Hitam) said Koh needs to be more firm on this issue as he has been "too soft".

He made reference to Port Klang assemblyperson and former Klang municipal councillor Zakaria Md Deros who operated a satay outlet on state land without a temporary occupation licence, but who was issued a 14-day eviction notice before the premises were sealed.

"The temple was located on its own land and yet (the operators) were not given notice. The building was demolished just like that," Wee said.

"There is a difference between demolishing something which was only in one person's interest compared to a temple that is in a community's interests."