Bukit Gelugor MP Ramkarpal Singh has expressed concern over the spate of temple desecrations in Penang, and urged the police to update the public on its investigations.
"The destruction of three statues of deities in the Sri Muneeswarar temple at Jalan Tengku Kudin, Gelugor yesterday is of great concern, as (the act) may have been more than a mere act of vandalism," he said in a statement.
Yesterday’s incident, he said, was the fourth involving a Hindu temple after two Hindu temples in Penanti and Seberang Perai were vandalised last month, while another in Sungai Nibong Kecil suffered the same fate last week.
He said this April, a Hindu temple in Ipoh was also desecrated, although the culprit in that incident had been charged.
"The incidents mentioned above indicate a worrying trend of racial intolerance, particularly in Penang, which can potentially spark serious racial discord among the various races that have lived peacefully and in harmony in this country for decades.
"I urge Georgetown OCPD Mior Faridalathrash Wahid to publicly state the status and nature of investigations behind not only this incident, but also in relation to the other incidents mentioned above as such incidents cannot, and must not, be seen to be tolerated in the slightest," said Ramkarpal.
Yesterday Deputy Chief Minister II P Ramasamy lamented they have not been able to obtain much information about the perpetrators of the various incidents.
"This is the fourth case and yet we still don't know much about the earlier destructive acts," said Ramasamy.
Ramkarpal meanwhile asked if present laws were enough to tackle the growing problem.
"I have advocated the need to outlaw racial hatred in the past as I am of the view that current legislation pertaining to such despicable acts, are severely lacking in terms of effectiveness," he said.
He said punishment such as that meted out to the perpetrator in the Ipoh incident, under section 295 of the Penal Code, punishable with imprisonment for up to two years, or with fine, was not a deterrent.
"A maximum sentence of imprisonment of two years [...] is certainly inadequate having regard to the potential damage such hatred can cause, and the growing number of such incidents, indicating utter disregard of the sensitive nature of racial integration between races in this country."
Meanwhile in response to the matter, inspector-general of police Khalid Abu Bakar said a special team has been formed to investigate the Penang incidents.
