KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 5 — Pakatan Harapan federal lawmakers have warned that allowing a rally calling for “illegal Hindu temples” planned this weekend could spark racial tension.

The MPs alleged that the gathering is primarily aimed at inciting hatred against the Indian community, and that its organisers have no interest in genuine dialogue to resolve grievances about temples built on private land.

At a press conference in Parliament, Jelutong MP RSN Rayer led calls for the authorities to block the rally, while stressing that the appeal for action is not intended to curtail free expression.

“We support freedom of speech. We also support the right to assemble. But at the same time, we believe that if an assembly could potentially threaten peace and unity, action must be taken by the police,” he said.

“This gathering, dubbed the anti-illegal temple gathering, is an event that can ignite many problems in our country. First, it can divide unity among our multiracial, multi-faith society and create polemics.”

One of the organisers of the rally is controversial preacher Zamri Vinodh, who has led the campaign calling for the abolition of all Hindu temples allegedly built illegally. Zamri has been accused of making remarks deemed incendiary, particularly against the country’s ethnic Indian community.

Critics of the campaign also believe the movement is driven more by racism than genuine concerns about the regulation of houses of worship.

Many of the temples claimed to be “illegal” were mostly built on former plantation lands, long before the introduction of the National Land Code 1965. Malay Mail could not independently verify this information.

Rayer said Zamri’s reputation for making racially charged comments against the Indian community makes the gathering’s true motive suspect.

The Jelutong MP noted that there have been 894 police reports lodged by the public against the preacher, most calling for action against statements they considered inflammatory.

“So my question is, why has no action been taken against this Zamri to this day? Secondly, I’d like to ask the IGP not to allow Zamri to hold any kind of gatherings on February 7. If it is allowed, it risks igniting racial tension,” he said.

Organisers of the protest said the rally will take place this Saturday evening in the capital city.