KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 29 — The developer of a newly completed housing project in Langkawi has begun repainting the air wells on the rooftops of the development after it was highlighted on social media that the structures were shaped like crosses, the Real Estate and Housing Developers' Association (Rehda) has confirmed.
According to The Star today, Kedah and Perlis Rehda chairman Datuk Rick Cheng said rectification work began yesterday and would take about two weeks to complete.
"Many buyers of our members' housing projects in Kedah are Malay, and I condemn the irresponsible people who posted such pictures online," he was quoted saying in the English daily’s report.
The report added that the developer will be meeting with the local council to discuss the issue.
The photo of the houses in Langkawi recently surfaced on social media, with viewers’ attention drawn to the juxtaposition of the air wells and fire breaks that combined to resemble a cross of the roofs of the buildings.
On Saturday, Kedah state executive councillor in charge of housing Datuk Tajul Urus Mat Zain told Malay Mail Online that the housing developer has been ordered to repaint the fire break walls to match the roof tiles to avoid further confusion.
Tajul Urus said that despite the problem not being a big one, and that the appearance of the cross was not the intention of the developer, the state had to step in because the images had gone viral on social media.
The case in Kedah is the most recent controversy over Christian icons, both actual and perceived, in the country. In April, an angry mob protested outside a church in Taman Medan, Petaling Jaya and demanded the removal of the cross affixed to the exterior of the building.
Religious ties in Malaysia have been taxed by recent events including the Muslim exclusivity over “Allah”, the Arabic word for God, as well as accusations against Christians for the alleged proselytisation of Muslims.
